SOMERSET have announced the signing of 28-year-old Netherlands batsman Tom Cooper for the whole of the 2015 season.

Australian-born Cooper has player 23 one-day internationals and 15 T20 internationals for the Netherlands –as well as playing for Australia Under 19s and South Australia.

Cooper said: “I am really very pleased to have signed to play cricket for Somerset in 2015.

“I have always wanted to play county cricket in England and have heard a lot about Somerset so I am looking forward to getting going in April.”

Cooper has an impressive record in all formats of the game having scored 976 runs at an average of 48.80 in ODIs – and 389 runs 32.41 in T20 internationals.

In all first class cricket, Cooper has scored 2697 runs at an average of 39.56, which includes five centuries and a best of 203 not out.

Somerset Director of Cricket Matt Maynard said: “It is really good news that Tom has joined us for this season.

“He is a highly regarded batsman with a really good track record in all forms of the game and will be a great addition to our squad.”