De Bruyn signed for Somerset in 2008

Surrey have signed veteran South African all-rounder Zander de Bruyn on a one-year deal from Somerset.

The 35-year-old is playing for Highveld Lions in South African domestic cricket and will join up with Surrey in April.

"I'm especially looking forward to getting a chance to play regularly at a Test ground with the quality players that they have in the squad," he said.

"I'll work hard to help get Surrey up into the first division where they belong," de Bruyn added.

De Bruyn, who earned three Test caps for his country in 2004, scored 2,497 first-class runs at an average of 38.41 in three seasons at Somerset. He added a further 1,656 in one-day competition, averaging 53.41 as the county made it to the Twenty20 Cup final where they lost to Sussex.

De Bruyn, who had a spell at Worcestershire in 2005, has signed as a Kolpak player - although he is just one year away from being eligible to obtain a British passport.

606: DEBATE Will de Bruyn be a useful addition at Surrey?

His arrival at the Oval was welcomed by Surrey manager Chris Adams in light of the knee injury that could see star batsman Mark Ramprakash miss the start of next season.

"With the recent injury to Mark Ramprakash making his situation relatively unclear for the start of next season, it was vital we had an experienced batsman to turn to and provide a steady hand and this gives us exactly that," said Adams.

Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown added: "We have a really exciting and very young squad at the moment, so adding someone of the quality and experience of Zander de Bruyn was an absolute must. It's really exciting to have someone like him coming into the club and being with us all season.

"His presence will also play a huge part in helping our younger players learn, just by watching someone of his class going about his day-to-day business."

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