Hodd will act as understudy to Matt Prior and fills the gap created by Tim Ambrose's departure to Warwickshire.

He has signed a two-year contract and Cricket Manager Mark Robinson said: "He has come back hungry and keen to get back into hitting and catching balls.

"A great benefit is that Andrew is fully aware of how we work, the coaching set-up and the team ethos and it will be great to have him back."