Franklin will take the place ear-marked for Mike Kasprowicz

The left-arm paceman, 25, will join in mid-May following New Zealand's tour of South Africa.

Glamorgan coach John Derrick said: "We are delighted that James is joining us. His left-arm bowling will add extra variety to our attack."

Franklin will fill the void left by Australian Mike Kasprowicz, who pulled out of a planned deal to concentrate on Test cricket.

Franklin, from Wellington, who has 16 Tests and 41 one-day internationals to his name, had a spell with Gloucestershire two seasons ago.

James is just the sort of player we have been looking for Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin

He took 7-60 on his debut against Lancashire, but is best known in this country for his six wickets against England in the final Test of New Zealand's 2004 tour.

The paceman was also named Man of the Match in the one-day international against England at Durham after figures of 5-42.

"John Derrick has had a good look at the market and James is just the sort of player we have been looking for," said Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin.

"He will add a different dimension to our game as a left-armer.

"By creating rough outside the right-hander's off stump he will bring our spinners Robert Croft and Dean Cosker more into play."

The club have already secured the services of Australian batsman Mark Cosgrove as a replacement for injured first-choice overseas star Matthew Elliott.