Stephen Fleming: 'I have harboured an ambition to captain a leading English county team' © Getty Images

Stephen Fleming will captain Nottinghamshire during the 2005 season. Fleming, 31, had been in talks with Surrey, but they pulled out of negotiations with New Zealand cricket when it was decided that his availability would not be sufficient to fulfil the job that would have been desired of him.

Fleming, who already has some experience of county cricket after stints with Middlesex in 2001 and Yorkshire last summer, will be free to play for Nottinghamshire almost all the summer, with New Zealand playing in a home Test and one-day series against Australia in March. That will be followed by a five-month break before New Zealand's trip to Zimbabwe in September, although the exact dates for that tour are yet to be confirmed.

"It is a real coup for Nottinghamshire to sign the world's leading captain, and one of the best batsmen in international cricket," said Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket. "Stephen will bring fresh ideas and challenges to our players, and will demand international level standards of performance which will help bring out the very best in both our young players and those aspiring for international honours."

Fleming, meanwhile, said that he was looking forward to joining Nottinghamshire next season, and pointed out that the club already has strong links with New Zealand cricket. Sir Richard Hadlee, Chris Cairns, Daniel Vettori and Nathan Astle have all played for Nottinghamshire in the past.

"I enjoyed my previous experience of county cricket, and have harboured an ambition to captain a leading English county team," said Fleming. "Nottinghamshire proved they are one of the up and coming counties with double promotion last season, and Trent Bridge holds special personal memories with my Test century on the ground this summer.

"The facilities are world class at Trent Bridge," added Fleming. "I was impressed with the ambition and the plans outlined by Mick Newell and I look forward to joining the club in April."

Fleming will take over from Jason Gallian, who had been captain since 1998 and has been awarded a benefit year in 2005. Gallian has also signed a contract to play for Nottinghamshire until at least the end of the 2007 season.

"As soon as it became likely that Stephen would sign, the question of the captaincy was discussed," he said. "As he is arguably the best captain in world cricket, I offered to step down. I have a good few years left and I am sure that I will learn something playing alongside a player of his capability. After such a successful season leading Nottinghamshire to promotion in both competitions, I look forward to being part of a team that will hopefully win more trophies next season."

Newell, the man responsible for luring Fleming to the club, has also signed an extension to his contract as director of cricket.

Speaking about his extension, Newell said: "I am grateful for the confidence and support which the club has demonstrated by extending my contract and I am focused on bringing more trophies back to Trent Bridge during the next two years.

"In order to be competitive I needed to further strengthen the squad and the signing of Graeme Swann and Stephen Fleming demonstrates our ambition for next season."