Dane Vilas signs overseas contract to extend stay at Lancashire

The 35-year old’s 'Kolpak' status expired when the UK left the EU but he has signed an overseas deal to stay with the club for the 2021 season

County Cricket squad updates

Lancashire captain Dane Vilas has signed an overseas player contract to remain at Old Trafford for the 2021 season.

The South African's 'Kolpak' status expired when the UK left the European Union on December 31, 2020 but Lancashire have secured his services for a fifth season after putting pen to paper on an overseas deal.

Vilas, a former South Africa international, joined Lancashire ahead of the 2017 season and became the club’s full-time captain in 2019.

Winning the County Championship Division Two title in his first season as captain, Vilas has scored 2924 first class runs in 49 matches for Lancashire, including three double centuries.

Commenting on his new contract, Vilas said: "The potential end of my non-overseas status has been apparent for a while and I’ve worked closely with the club during that time to explore all available avenues.

▶ 2,924 FC runs @ 46.41
▶ Three double centuries
▶ Unbeaten promotion season as skipper

Still more to come from @DaneVilas 😍

🌹 #RedRoseTogether pic.twitter.com/21sJf3K4Nz

— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) February 2, 2021

“It has been a period of uncertainty but I’m delighted that the situation is finally resolved and I will continue my career at Emirates Old Trafford. I absolutely love playing for Lancashire and see it very much as my home now."

Meanwhile, Lancashire’s director of cricket, Paul Allott, added: "Dane’s future at the club was never in doubt, such has been his contribution over the last four seasons, but we are pleased to have the clarity around his status as we finalise our plans for 2021.

"Dane’s record in county cricket is first class and as good as anything you would expect from an overseas player, so in many ways it has been a luxury to have him registered without using one of our overseas slots.

"What cannot be reflected in those statistics is his off-field influence. He has been an exceptional leader since first stepping in as captain during 2018 and sets incredibly high standards for the next generation of Red Rose talent to follow.

"We are considering our options for the remaining overseas place to further strengthen our squad for the upcoming season.