LONDON, Dec 19: Ryan McClaren will become the latest South African to join Kent after signing a one-year contract to play for the English county in the 2007 season.

McClaren, 23, currently plays for the Gestetner Diamond Eagles based in Bloemfontein.

He is an all-rounder who bats left-handed but it is mainly for his medium pace, right-arm bowling that he has been recruited.

“Since the end of the 2006 season we have spent time looking at the balance of our bowling attack and have recognised the need for back-up in the seam department,” said Graham Johnson, Kent's chairman of cricket.

“In an ideal world we would have chosen an England-qualified player, however, our search did not produce any outstanding, available talent.

“Ryan offers us all round abilities and will add a great deal to the squad.

Taking him on for one year only will enable us to review the progress of our younger bowlers and those emerging from the Academy ahead of the 2008 season.” Former South Africa coach Graham Ford is currently director of cricket at Kent, where his compatriots Tyron Henderson, Justin Kemp, Andrew Hall and Martin van Jaarsveld all played at various stages last season.—AFP