Kent have announced two new signings for next season, along with renewed contracts for four others.

Durham seamer Mitch Claydon, who has spent three months on loan at Canterbury this summer, will join on a permanent contract, while fellow pace bowler David Griffiths, 27, will join from Hampshire.

Kent fans will now know Claydon well, with the Australian-born bowler performing solidly in all forms of the game during his spell at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, while Griffiths has 105 first-class wickets in his career so far. Spitfires fans may remember Griffiths bowling four economical overs for Hampshire for just 19 runs during their FLt20 victory at Canterbury in July.

New contracts have been agreed with all-rounder Calum Haggett, who has impressed in his first full season at Kent, along with Sam Northeast, Daniel Bell-Drummond, and Fabian Cowdrey, all products of the Kent Cricket Academy. Cowdrey has particularly impressed in the shorter formats of the game this year, having broken into the team for the first time.

With the announcement of the signings, Kent’s Chairman of Cricket, Graham Johnson, said: “To be able to announce that this group of players have signed for Kent is extremely exciting. All are ambitious players who seek a positive environment in which to develop their talent. They are also ambitious for the Club and keen to play their full part in all aspects of developing a winning culture.

“Within the group there is a mix of youth and experience, with players coming through the Kent system and others seeing Kent as the place to fulfil ambitions, a blend that is essential in a squad. The team this year has shown its capabilities. The aim is to show that capability more consistently and in doing so, to raise both the individual and team performance. This group of players have the desire and ability to do that, which is something that should please Kent supporters.”

Johnson hinted that further additions to the squad may well be made, saying: “We continue to look at the balance of our squad – there remain players who are out of contract at the end of this season and discussions continue with them. In addition, and where necessary, we will explore positive additions to the squad.”