Sidebottom wants to get back into the England squad

The 25-year-old was released by Yorkshire at the end of last season after he was looked over for the first team despite an impressive bowling average.

Sidebottom played one Test for England in 2001 against Pakistan.

The fast bowler said: "I am very ambitious and want to get back into the England set-up."

Ryan's an outstanding bowler with an excellent record and the right attitude Mick Newell

He was frustrated at his lack of opportunities at Yorkshire last season, where he took 35 wickets at an average of 20.28.

Sidebottom added: "It reached the point at Yorkshire where I was bowling as well as I ever have done, was high in the national averages, but was still not playing regularly in the first team.

"Competition was fierce among the seamers at Headingley and I want to get back playing for England.

"The only way to do that is to take wickets week in, week out and hopefully I'll get the chance to do that at Notts."

Notts director of cricket Mick Newell was delighted to have secured Sidebottom's signature.

He said: "We were in the market for a seamer and once I knew there was an opportunity to sign someone of his quality, I had to target him as a top priority.

"He's an outstanding bowler with an excellent record and the right attitude and I'm delighted he has chosen to come and join us at Notts."

Sidebottom is Notts' fourth new signing of the winter and joins all-rounder Mark Ealham, batsman Anurag Singh and wicket-keeper David Alleyne on the playing staff at Trent Bridge.