The 18-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Edgbaston club until the end of the 2025 season, after impressing during six Metro Bank One-Day Cup outings during the summer
Promising wicketkeeper-batter Kai Smith has signed a rookie contract with Warwickshire.
The 18-year-old has signed a two-year deal with The Bears running until the end of the 2025 season.
After debuting against Somerset, Smith made six appearances for Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup this year, scoring 47 runs in three innings and taking a catch in his only start behind the stumps.
Born in Dubai to South African parents, he moved to Kent to complete his A-levels.
Smith celebrates with Jake Lintott against Sussex (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Smith twice represented the United Arab Emirates in the Under-19 World Cup and was recommended to Warwickshire by former player and ex-UAE coach Dougie Brown. Smith progressed through the academy and made his debut against Somerset in August.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity this amazing club has given me, It's a proud moment for me and my family, and I'm elated to be a Bear," said Smith.
"Breaking into the senior side and being able to learn from and play among some of the best players in the country was really inspiring. We are all so close, like family, and I'm very lucky to be able to take to the field with such great guys.
United Arab Emirates in action during last year's Under-19 World Cup (Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
"This a great opportunity for me to learn as much as possible, gain experience from being around the professionals and coaches, and take my game to another level."
Warwickshire performance director Gavin Larsen added: "I'm delighted to have Kai on board. He's a talented young batter with a real X-factor. I look forward to watching his progress with us over the next two years.
"He's one of the cleanest young ball strikers I've seen, and as we saw in his One Day Cup appearances this summer he certainly looked comfortable at that level."
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