Nottinghamshire batsman Riki Wessels has been released from his contract to take up a three-year deal with Worcestershire.

Notts narrowly avoided relegation from Division One in the County Championship, with Lancashire eventually joining Wessels’ new club in the second tier.

“Leaving Nottinghamshire was a difficult decision to make,” Wessels said. “I’ve spent eight years at Trent Bridge and enjoyed being part of successful teams that challenged for trophies but now is the right time for me to make a change.

“Worcestershire will provide a new challenge and I’m really looking forward to starting another chapter of my career at a club that I have a lot of admiration for.”

The 32-year-old Australia-born batsman-wicketkeeper, the son of Kepler Wessels, signed from Northamptonshire in 2011 and quickly became a key player for Notts in all formats.

Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell said: “We’d like to thank Riki for his contribution to the side over the many years he’s spent here at Trent Bridge.

“However, both parties feel that now is the right time for a change and for Riki to move on. We wish him luck for the future.”