Gillespie is a proven international performer

The 30-year-old, who had a poor Ashes series during the summer, has opted for Headingley despite interest from a number of other counties.

Gillespie could be available all summer as he has slipped down the pecking order with Australia.

"Jason had a disappointing Ashes, but he is a quality performer with a great Test record," cricket director David Byas told the Yorkshire Post.

"I don't think we could have got anyone much better.

"He will be fired up to do well for Yorkshire - not just because of what happened in the Ashes, but because that's his mentality in any case."

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The Aussies are only involved in one Test series next summer, the tour to Bangladesh which starts in April.

Gillespie has taken 251 wickets in 69 Tests at an average of 26.6 and 142 in one-day internationals.

And it is likely he would have made many more appearances but for a series of injuries, the worst of which occurred in Sri Lanka in September 1999 when he broke his leg in an on-field collison with team-mate Steve Waugh.

The Ashes series was a huge disappointment for him as he managed only three wickets in three games.

But he has done well in English conditions in the past and has particularly fond memories of Headingley where he took 7-37 in 1997, which remain the best figures of his Test career.

Yorkshire will have two South Australia players on the staff next summer, with batsman Darren Lehmann rejoining the club as their other overseas signing.