Ricardo Vasconcelos signs new five-year contract with Northamptonshire

The 21-year-old, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury last month, arrived last year and has gone on to score 1,000 runs for the club this summer in the Championship and One-Day Cup

Northamptonshire opener Ricardo Vasconcelos has signed a new five-year deal with the East Midlands club.

The 21-year-old South African, who holds a Portuguese passport, arrived last year and has gone on to score 1,000 runs for the club this summer in the Championship and One-Day Cup.

However, his season was cut short last month after suffering an ankle injury against Derbyshire last month, which did not allow him to take any part in the Blast, but he is already looking forward to returning to the side having extended his contract until 2024.

"It was an easy decision for me to stay here," Vasconcelos said.

"Northants took a chance on me and picked me out of South Africa, so it was a no brainer for me to be loyal to the club that gave me a chance to live my dream.

"The club has shown great ambition this year with some top-class overseas signings so hopefully that ambition pays off and we can get promoted and continue to improve in Div One next year.

"The injury is coming along well. I've started walking again now so this is where the hard work starts I guess, but I'm prepared to put in the work and come back stronger and fitter than ever.

"I've been working hard to get back fit and I'll be playing some club cricket in South Africa over the winter to make sure I've got some cricket under my belt before the start of the new season."

Northants still hold a chance of securing promotion to Division One in the County Championship, as they currently sit third in Division Two with three rounds remaining.