Porterfield joins Gloucs

William Porterfield has signed a two-year deal © CricketEurope

William Porterfield is set to be the next Ireland international to try a career in county cricket after signing a two-year contract with Gloucestershire.

The Donemana-born batsman spent the season on trial with the western county and follows fellow Ireland stars Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Boyd Rankin (Derbyshire) and Niall O'Brien (Northamptonshire) onto the county circuit.

Porterfield, who made his highest score for Ireland, 166, in the Intercontinental Cup tie against Bermuda, is a product of the acclaimed Ireland youth system and is seen as the next Ireland captain.

He finished the calendar year with 1,038 international runs, almost 300 more than his nearest rival, at an average of 39.92. His innings against Bermuda was his fourth century for Ireland and his third in 2007.