Surrey have signed former South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel on a two-year contract. He will be registered as a Kolpak player and will be available to play across all formats.

Several English counties have expressed an interest in acquiring the towering paceman since he brought the curtain down on a stellar international career a few weeks ago, and this represents a major coup for the ambitious county chasing their first county championship title since 2002.

In his final Test match versus Australia, Morkel became only the fifth South African bowler to bag 300 Test wickets.

“It is a real honour that Surrey asked me to join after my retirement from international cricket,” Morkel said. “I’ve got fond memories of playing at the Kia Oval and am looking forward to settling into London with my family for the summer.”

Morkel will arrive on Wednesday April 11 but is not expected to be involved in Surrey’s opening home fixture against Hampshire, which begins on April 20. The quick will join fellow compatriots Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn in county cricket this summer.