Hampshire Cricket have signed experienced all-rounder Gareth Berg on a contract until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who spent seven years at Lord’s playing for Middlesex, will be available in all formats for the club.

Berg said: “Once I had the call from Giles {White} showing an interest it put a big smile of my face because Hampshire is a massive club and I’m very excited to be here.

"I thought that it would be nice to stay at one club my whole career, but this is a great fresh start for me and hopefully I can perform well for Hampshire in the season ahead.”

After making his debut for Middlesex in 2008, the South Africa-born all-rounder quickly became a regular for the club in all formats.

Berg, who has played 15 Twenty20 matches for Italy, went on to hit over 4,000 runs and take 221 wickets for Middlesex, before shoulder surgery ruled him out for the majority of the 2014 season.

Berg continued: “I’ve worked really hard on my fitness over the winter and from what I was told how the body would be, to how it actually is now, is completely different.

"As a sportsman you’ve got to work against the odds and my body is probably in the best condition that it’s been in three years.” Hampshire Director of Cricket White said: “The immediate focus is to get Gareth fit and playing ahead of the season.

"We have agreed a deal that supports this and I am confident that he will play an important role at Hampshire this year.

“Gareth is the type of player that can influence games with both bat and ball and he will add balance and experience to the squad; it’s great to have him here.”

Berg played 71 first class matches for Middlesex, scoring 2980 runs at 29.80 and taking 140 wickets at 32.17.

In 59 List A one day games for the county, he averaged 25.62 with the bat - scoring 999 runs - and took 40 wickets at 35.17.

Berg also played 55 t20 games for Middlesex, hitting 860 runs at 26.87 and taking 44 wickets at 27.43.