ESSEX have signed South African-born pace bowler Charl Willoughby on a two-year deal.

The 36-year-old left arm fast-medium bowler has played for Somerset for the past five seasons. But he joins compatriot Greg Smith at Chelmsford for the 2012 campaign.

“He is a big signing for us because when it was announced that he was leaving Somerset, there were four or five other counties who came in to try and sign him,” said Essex head coach Paul Grayson.

“I’m delighted with the signing of Charl. He is a very experienced bowler and someone we wanted to add to our ranks alongside David Masters and Graham Napier.”