Hampshire have announced the signing of former Worcestershire fast bowler Simon Jones on a three-year contract.

The contract for Jones, who has had several surgical procedures on his knee since injuring it playing for England in the 2005 Ashes series, includes several pay as you play clauses due to concerns over his long-term fitness.

There were fears Jones may have to retire after Worcestershire decided not to renew his contract at the end of the 2009 season following another injury-interrupted campaign.

However, Jones believes the move to the Rose Bowl could resurrect his ailing career.

He said: "I am delighted to have signed for Hampshire. I feel that the Rose Bowl is a venue and a club where I can re-ignite my cricketing ambitions and at the same time bring home some silverware and success to such a forward-thinking club.

"I look forward to meeting all the guys and hopefully adding to the superb talent that is already here."

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said he is "delighted to have added Simon Jones to our battery of seam bowlers".

"I have been a great fan of Simon since the Ashes victory in 2005 and we all know what a match winner he can be when fully fit," he added.

Meanwhile Hampshire first-team manager Giles White commented: "Obviously we are very excited to have signed Simon.

"He knows he has a hard winter ahead in terms of rehab to get his career back on track but, he is a proven performer at both domestic and international level and I’m sure he will prove to be a great signing for the club."

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