Mohammad Asif bolsters Surrey's attack © Getty Images

After a week of negotiations, Surrey have signed Mohammad Asif as their overseas player for 2008.

"In Mohammad we have acquired one of the world's best new ball bowlers," Alan Butcher, Surrey's cricket manager said. "He has the high quality skills required to get wickets at The Oval; skills that I hope will be passed on to our younger bowlers.

"He will form a major part of what is looking like an exciting bowling attack."

Asif has taken 50 wickets at 21.66 in his ten Tests to date, and starred at Surrey's home ground, The Oval, last year, taking 4 for 56 in the final Test against England before the game degenerated amid the Darrell Hair controversy.

Asif already has experience of first class cricket in England, having played as one of Leicestershire's overseas players in 2006. In seven Championship matches he picked up 25 wickets at 31.52.

Surrey also announced that they have not retained Mohammad Akram, the former Pakistan bowler who is qualified to play in, and for, England. He signed for Surrey at the end of 2004 and picked up 91 wickets in 31 games.