GLOUCESTERSHIRE have completed their first signing of the winter after former Middlesex seam bowler Tom Hampton joined the club on a two-year contract.

Hampton, 24, impressed on a trial appearance for Gloucestershire in a Second XI match against Glamorgan at the Bristol County Ground last month, taking 5-19 in the first innings and 2-30 in the second.

He made one first class appearance during his time with Middlesex against Oxford MCCU in March 2010, and has since been playing successfully for Buckinghamshire.

Bracewell said: “As part of strengthening our bowling resources we have added Tom to our squad. He is a bowler who bowls a heavy ball with a repeatable action.”

Hampton added: “"I'm very happy to have signed a two-year deal with Gloucestershire, it's a fantastic opportunity - they have a great squad and a quality coaching set-up.

“I’m looking forward to working hard over the winter to really push for a first team place at the start of next season.”

Ex-England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, who played a key role in the 2005 series win against Australia and impressed during a brief loan spell at Gloucestershire last season, has been linked with a more permanent return as a specialist batsman after the 38-year-old was released by Kent.

As an experienced international and former Ashes winner, Jones fits Bracewell’s description of the club’s number one target to skipper the side in the absence of Michael Klinger next season.