Chopra had an outstanding one-day season with Essex in 2009

Warwickshire's new signing Varun Chopra has said he wants to match the achievements of the county's current Test match stars.

Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott are both England regulars, and the former Essex batsman would love to join them.

Chopra, 22, told BBC WM: "If I can bat with the likes of Belly and Trotty, I'm going to improve as a player.

"Having guys of that calibre and experience in the same side can push us to a good season," he added.

Chopra is looking to follow in the footsteps of another former Essex batsman, Nick Knight, who went on to play 100 one-day internationals and 17 Tests for England after moving to Edgbaston.

I felt I needed new surroundings to get the most out of my ability Varun Chopra

"He obviously did a similar thing to what I'm doing - if I have a career half as good as Nick's, I'll have done all right," said the former England Under-19 captain.

Essex have produced a number of fine batsmen in recent years, with the likes of Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara going on to play Test cricket - so Chopra's change of county was not done lightly.

"I just felt I needed new surroundings really, a different environment to get the most out of my ability," he noted.

"I looked to Warwickshire as a very big traditional club, and with the coach and the players they've got here I reckon I can learn a lot."

Chopra hopes to make his Championship debut for the Bears in the opening round of fixtures when they host Yorkshire at Edgbaston on Friday.

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