Gloucestershire sign McCarter from academy

Gloucestershire have offered Ireland Under-19 paceman Graeme McCarter a two-year full-time contract.

Carter, 18, has been part of the academy programme at Bristol since winter 2008. This is his first full-time summer contract which will culminate in a professional contract for the 2012 season.

McCarter was awarded the region OCS Young Sports Person Award for Northern Ireland in 2009 and he is pleased that his career is progressing.

"I am delighted to be offered a full time contract with Gloucestershire," said McCarter. "I worked really hard this summer with bowling coaches Stuart Barnes and Jon Lewis and training was really intense, but it has all been worth it now. I am ecstatic and can't wait for the opportunity to play professionally."

Academy Director, Owen Dawkins said: "It is great to see another GCCC Academy player being offered a full time contract. Graeme has been part of the Academy for two seasons and has regularly played for our 2nd XI. I look forward to seeing him continue with his hard work over the next year and seeing him progress into the first XI."