Kent Cricket have announced that former Club Captain Sam Northeast will come home to Kent and re-join the county from Glamorgan at the start of the 2026 season, on a two-year contract with option of a third.

The 35-year-old made his Kent debut in 2007 after graduating from the Kent Cricket Academy, and went on to make over 300 appearances for the county over ten seasons, scoring over 13,500 runs in all-formats including 24 centuries.

The Ashford-born right-hander is one of seven Kent cricketers to have scored a century for the county in all formats in the Club’s history.

He was appointed Club Captain in 2015 and in total skippered Kent on 134 occasions, averaging 44.79 with the bat whilst leading the side.

He left the Club to join Hampshire in February 2018, and now will return home to Kent eight years later.

On coming back to the county of his birth, Northeast said: “I’m delighted to be returning home to Kent next season.

“I believe I still have a great deal to contribute across all formats, and while I’ve enjoyed my time away, I know that coming back to Canterbury is the right decision at this stage of my career.

“As someone who grew up in the county, Kent has always been close to my heart. I always knew I would return to my boyhood Club, and I’m proud to once again wear the White Horse.

“The Club is in an exciting place, with a clear focus on the future, and I hope that my experience can help support and develop the next generation of Kent-produced talent.”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, said: “Sam was our top target when it became apparent that he was available and he will add top-order talent and experience.

“We’re delighted that he has chosen to return to Kent next season, and our young batters in both the first-team and Talent Pathway will draw from his vast experience.

“I’m sure his return home will be greatly received by our Members and supporters.”

Picture supplied by Oyster Bay Photography.