Kent have signed a South African all-rounder on an all-format deal for the next two years.

George Linde, 30, has a fair amount of pedigree having represented his country in every format.

He took four wickets and scored 54 runs across two innings on his Test debut against India in 2019, despite South Africa falling to a heavy defeat at Ranchi, before recording his current Test-best figures of 5-64 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi last February.

But on joining Kent, Linde said: "This is an exciting opportunity for me to play county cricket for the first time in my career.

"I’m really looking forward to wearing the Kent shirt with pride and (looking) to make my own mark on this club’s history."

Named South Africa’s Domestic Four-Day Cricketer of the Year at the Cricket South Africa Awards in July, the left-hand batter and left-arm spin bowler has also played a total of 100 T20 matches during his career.

In those matches, he has scored 904 runs at a strike rate of 138.43 and taken 105 wickets at 22.93.

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Kent director of cricket Paul Downton said: “We are delighted to have signed a player of George’s calibre for the coming two seasons.

“We have long identified the need for an experienced, high-quality spin bowler to balance our side in all formats, and the fact that George is an accomplished left-handed middle-order batter makes his addition to the squad even more exciting.

“His first-class record is excellent with 211 wickets at 24.00 and 2,287 runs at 30.00 in 58 matches - his white-ball performances have also been just as impressive.

“We believe that George will make us a more competitive side as we aim to compete on all fronts next season, and look forward to welcoming him into the Kent Cricket family.”

On Twitter, head coach Matt Walker said: "Welcome to the club @gflinde. So pleased to have you with us, mate."

Kent have been busy in the close season as they look to build on the success they enjoyed last year, which saw them win the T20 Blast competition and Division 3 of the County Championship.

They have re-signed Afghanistan international leg-spinner Qais Ahmad for their T20 Blast defence this summer and New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry is also due to be back at the Spitfire Ground from July 10 for up to seven County Championship matches and for the Royal London Cup.

Kent have also bolstered their coaching ranks by bringing in former Netherlands international and ex-Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate as batting coach.