Derbyshire fans will see one of the world's best batsmen in action

The 30-year-old batsman, who will arrive before the end of April and stay until mid-July, is the county's fifth signing since the end of last season.

"I knew he was the right player after I spoke to him," said boss John Morris.

"And I could tell that he has the desire to play county cricket and contribute both experience and flair to Derbyshire's batting line-up."

Counties can have only one overseas player from 2008 and Jayawardene - who has scored 6,630 runs in Test cricket at an average of 49.84 - can be replaced at the halfway stage.

His signing comes on the back of the captures of Rikki Clarke as captain and West Indies batsman Wavell Hinds.

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Jamaican opener Hinds will be classed as a Kolpak player and thus will not count as an overseas player.

Batsman John Sadler, previously of Leicestershire, and former Surrey spinner Nayan Doshi were the first two new arrivals.

But it is the coup of bringing in Jayawardene that will cause a stir on the county scene.