James Kettleborough: Glamorgan sign Northants batsman

Kettleborough made his first-class debut for Northants against the Sri Lankans this summer

Glamorgan have confirmed the signing of Northamptonshire opener James Kettleborough on a two-year contract.

Kettleborough, 21, joins the Welsh county after four batsmen left.

Glamorgan coach Toby Radford said: "We believe he can add real value to us, particularly in four-day cricket."

"It's a big move for me from Northampton and a completely new challenge," said Kettleborough, who averages 25 in nine first-class matches.

"Knowing Toby from the Middlesex academy days helped a lot and that was instrumental in my move here, but also the chance to play at a Test ground most weeks is a great opportunity."

Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris said: "We believe that James, together with our highly promising crop of home-grown youngsters, can play a major part in the club's development."

Before Kettleborough's signing was confirmed, Northants chief executive David Smith told BBC Radio Northampton: "We offered James a one-year contract... but he's decided to go to Glamorgan.

"In terms of where we are, we felt as a team that one-year was sufficient at this stage. Quite rightly. James has decided to make a fresh start of it."

Smith said Kettleborough would not have played limited-overs cricket for Northants in 2015.

Glamorgan batsmen Murray Goodwin, 41, and Gareth Rees retired at the end of the season, while Stewart Walters and Tom Lancefield were not offered new contracts.

Glamorgan finished second from bottom of County Championship Division Two in 2014.