Will Williams joins Lancashire on long-term deal

The New Zealander, who previously represented Canterbury, joins the club as a local player as he holds a British passport

Will Williams has joined Lancashire on a permanent basis, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract which will run until 2025.

The 29-year-old, who holds a British passport, has signed a local player contract, and therefore will not be registered as an overseas signing during his time at Emirates Old Trafford. The multi-format contract begins immediately.

Wiliams, a right-arm pace bowler, signed a short-term contract with Lancashire in June, making his debut in England against Warwickshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship. He took impressive match figures of 6 for 112, including four wickets in the second innings to set up a tight victory for Lancashire.

In his next outing, against Gloucestershire, Williams claimed just one wicket, though he kept it tight with an economy of 1.76.

Prior to joining Lancashire, he represented Canterbury in New Zealand, taking 123 first-class wickets at 23.15 in the Plunket Shield.

^{Will Williams in action for Canterbury [Joe Allison/Getty Images]}

In T20 cricket, Williams has 30 dismissals to his in 37 appearances while he’s also played 41 List A matches, taking 51 wickets.

"Will’s situation has been on our radar for quite some time, he was a player we identified last winter as a possible overseas option before learning that Will also holds a British passport and was considering the option of playing in the UK as a local player," said director of cricket, Mark Chilton.

"Due to injuries and international selection, we required a seamer at short notice for last month’s County Championship matches and following Will’s performances in those matches, and through conversations with him since, we have taken the decision to turn his short-term overseas contract into a local player contract.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us, and for Will, and he has already been a really nice fit into the club in terms of the type of cricketer he is and we look forward to him developing with us over the course of the next three-and-a-half seasons."

"I have really enjoyed my short time with Lancashire so far and I am so pleased to have been given the opportunity to stay here on a longer-term basis," Williams added.

"It was a big life decision to use my British heritage to take up local player status and give up my ability to play back in New Zealand, however I felt this was an incredible opportunity to learn and grow my game. I would like to thank the club – particularly Mark Chilton and Glen Chapple - for making it happen.

"The lads have made me feel at home here already and I am now looking forward to playing at Old Trafford for the first time in front of our members and supporters and helping this great club to challenge for trophies again."