Redfern turns professional

The deal will keep Redfern with Derbyshire until 2010

All-rounder Dan Redfern has agreed a two-year professional contract with Derbyshire.

The new deal comes into effect at the start of next year and is the first full-time contract of the England Under-19 international's career.

The deal will keep Redfern - a left-handed batsman and off-spinner - with the county until the end of the 2010 campaign.

Redfern’s game has been developed in the Derbyshire Academy and – after making his first team debut in 2006 at the age of just 16 – he has since made five first-class and eight limited-overs appearances.

Redfern has also made 11 youth one-day international appearances for England.

His most recent first-class performance was his best, scoring 43 and 51 against a Northamptonshire attack containing South Africa internationals Lance Klusener and Nicky Boje.

Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris said: “Dan is an exceptionally talented young cricketer with everything in front of him so we are delighted to have given him his first professional contract.

“Credit goes to Karl Krikken for nurturing his talent through the Academy and it is great for Derbyshire that we have a player who is consistently involved in the England Under-19 set-up."

Redfern said: “All of the time spent on the Academy and working on my game has been geared towards the hope of earning a professional contract so I am delighted that it has now happened.

“I have enjoyed the tasters of first team cricket that I have been given so far and I am immensely looking forward to competing for a more regular place as a full-time professional cricketer.

“Derbyshire have shown a lot of faith in me and I am now aiming to repay that in runs and wickets.”