Schofield played for Surrey in the latter stages of their summer following injuries to Ian Salisbury and Anil Kumble © Getty Images

Chris Schofield, the former Lancashire and England legspinner, has signed a one-year contract with Surrey with whom he has been registered since August.

Schofield, 28, left Lancashire under acrimonious circumstances in 2004 and sued the club the following year for unfair dismissal. Since then he has represented his old club side, Littleborough, and played for Suffolk in Minor Counties cricket before earning a trial with Surrey's second XI. This is his first full contract with a county for nearly three years.

"Chris will not only be a great addition to the spin bowling department alongside Ian Salisbury and Nayan Doshi, but his ability with the bat and in the field will prove vital as the club move up to division one cricket next year," Roger Harman, Surrey's chairman of cricket, said.

Schofield, clearly delighted at joining the club, thanked Alan Butcher, the coach, for the opportunity while adding: "I found it refreshing how on more than one occasion this year Surrey selected three spinners in the starting line-up and as such I am very much looking forward to playing with Ian and Nayan as we start our Division One Championship campaign next year."