Durham make it Raine by bringing allrounder back to the Riverside

Ben Raine, 26, favoured a move back to the north east for personal reasons and his Riverside comeback represents a big step in Durham's rebuilding job ahead of 2019

^{Ben Raine is returning to Durham}

Durham have completed the signing of Ben Raine on a three-year contract.

The allrounder returns to the club for whom he made his first-class debut in 2011 after turning down the offer of a new deal at Leicestershire.

Raine, 26, favoured a move back to the north east for personal reasons and his Riverside comeback represents a big step in Durham's rebuilding job ahead of 2019.

The Sunderland native will now stay with the club until the end of the 2021 county season.

BEN RAINE: CAREER STATS

First-class: 63 matches, 103 innings, 1,952 runs, ave 20.76, 8 50s, HS 72; 201 wickets, ave 27.95, 5 5w

List A: 20 matches, 16 innings, 330 runs, ave 20.62, 1 50, HS 83; 20 wickets, ave 47.05

T20: 47 matches, 35 innings, 605 runs, ave 22.40, s/r 135.34, 1 100, 1 50, HS 113; 52 wickets, ave 26.26 eco 8.84

“I’m extremely grateful to Leicestershire and the opportunity they have given me and for their understanding in me wanting to move back to the north east,” he said.

“I’m delighted to be returning home and signing for Durham, I’m passionate about the region and determined to help the club compete for silverware again.”

Durham head coach Jon Lewis said: “Ben is a player who can help us compete in all formats with both bat and ball.

“He has opened the bowling in first-class cricket, bowled in the powerplay and at the death in the Vitality Blast and can bat in a number of positions.

“He’s proud to be from the north and he’ll fit well in our dressing room.”