Surrey have announced the signing of England international Dan Lawrence on a three-year contract as the defending county champions further bolster their star-studded squad.
Lawrence, who will finish the current campaign with Essex before moving to the Oval next year, is currently part of the England squad preparing for Friday’s Ashes series opener at Edgbaston, though he has not been named in the XI.
The batter also toured New Zealand as this winter, though he did not feature in the two-Test series, winning the last of his 11 caps during last year’s tour of the West Indies.
“It is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving Essex CCC at the end of this season,” Lawrence said. "Essex is the county who taught me how to play the game, developed me as a person and allowed me to play the sport I love professionally.
“I’m excited for the new challenges the 2024 season will bring when I take the field for my new team, Surrey CCC.
“At this stage of my career, I believe a move to the Oval offers a new challenge and would hugely benefit my own ambitions. Whilst an incredibly difficult decision, it is one that I am taking to continue my development as a cricketer.
“Surrey are an incredible club and I am really looking forward to joining up with Gareth, Rory and my new teammates, and helping to bring further success to south London.”
The signing of 25-year-old Lawrence will further bolster Surrey’s remarkable batting depth, with England international Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes and Will Jacks already on the books, while Jamie Smith has starred for the Lions and is heavily touted as a future Test wicketkeeper.
On Wednesday, Surrey completed the second-highest run chase in County Championship history, knocking off 501 to seal a five-wicket victory over Kent.
