Kent release Amjad

Financial constraints have persuaded Kent not to offer Amjad Khan a new contract at the end of this season

Former England pace bowler Amjad Khan will leave Kent when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old, who was born in Copenhagen and represented Denmark, has not been offered a new deal as Kent attempt to trim the wage bill.

Kent chief executive Jamie Clifford said: “Amjad has been with the club for nine seasons and we are very sorry to see him leave.

“These are financially difficult times for the club and sadly we are not currently in a position to make Amjad a meaningful offer.

“This has been a very hard decision. However, we believe that it is the right one given the financial context.

“I am sure the club’s members and supporters will join me in thanking Amjad for all his efforts and wish him the very best as he moves on.”

Amjad, who has taken 286 wickets at an average of 31.99 since making his Kent debut in 2001, said: “I am sorry to be leaving. Ideally I would have liked to have continued my career with Kent but it is not to be.

“I sympathise with Kent’s off-field financial pressures and know that the key people wanted me to stay.

“I look forward to new challenges with renewed vigour and believe I have what it takes to put myself back in the England frame.”

Amjad made his Kent debut in 2001 and shot to prominence the following season when he claimed 63 first-class wickets.

However, his progress was interrupted by injury, and he missed the entire 2007 season with a knee problem that required reconstructive surgery.

Amjad, who qualified for British citizenship in 2006, made his England debut in the West Indies in early 2009, but was forced to return home early with a knee injury.

Kent captain Rob Key added: “It is disappointing that the club couldn’t offer Amjad a contract that would have seen him stay.

“He has been a pleasure to play cricket with over the last nine seasons and I have no doubt that our loss will be another county’s gain. I wish him the very best.”

Amjad becomes the second international in as many days to begin his search for a new county, following Nottinghamshire's announcement that Ryan Sidebottom will leave Trent Bridge at the end of the summer.