Pakistan international Mohammad Amir will join Essex County Cricket Club for the second half of the 2017 campaign.

Amir will be eligible to compete in both the County Championship and NatWest T20 Blast.

The left-arm seamer is one of the most exciting bowling talents in the world with the ability to bowl at good pace and swing the ball both ways.

Amir will link up with the Club at the completion of the ICC Champions Trophy and will be available for selection from June 19 onwards.

And Head Coach Chris Silverwood is ecstatic that Amir has signed on the dotted line.

"We are thrilled that Mohammad has decided to join us for half of the 2017 campaign. He showed a real desire to be a part of the Club and the fact we have him for two competitions is a real bonus.

"He is still only young but has proved himself at International level already, so it is a real coup to get this signing completed."

Amir added that he was thrilled to be joining up with Essex.

"I am very excited about becoming part of the Essex family," he said. "Chris Silverwood and Ronnie Irani have both been very supportive over the summer. I'm hoping I can carry on Essex's success this season and achieve more for the club in 2017."

Amir was banned from cricket for five years after being convicted of spot-fixing in a Lord's Test in 2010.

He was one of three Pakistan players jailed in November 2011 for his part in a conspiracy to bowl deliberate no-balls against England - serving three months in prison.

Since his release, Amir has played for Karachi Kings and Chittagong Vikings in Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively.

Essex’s Overseas signings are in partnership with Seven Investment Management, the Eagles’ NatWest T20 Blast sponsor.