Cricket: Jack Brooks says he'll leave Yorkshire with a heavy heart and a tear in his eye after agreeing Somerset deal

Brooks has agreed a three-year deal with Somerset and will link up with his new side at the end of this season. Yorkshire had offered him an initial two-year deal.

In six years, Brooks has taken 291 first-class wickets for Yorkshire and said: 'With a genuine tear in my eye and heavy heart I will leave Yorkshire. It's been a rather surreal journey, I've had some incredible times here and made some lifelong close friends.'

He later added on Twitter: 'Plenty of games left this year... I'm not ready for goodbyes yet. Fully intend finishing my Yorkshire career on a high. Keeping our Division One status and performing for the team is my only focus for now.'

Brooks twice won the County Championship with Yorkshire.

'If I'm remembered at all for representing the club with a smile on my face, some passion and being a small cog in a well-oiled Yorkshire machine during our back to back Championships in 2014 and 2015 then that's good enough for me,' he added.

'Since joining I never imagined I'd leave by my own choice. However, all good things come to an end and Somerset have offered me a new and very exciting opportunity.

'I'd like to thank everyone involved at the Club who have made this Oxfordshire villagers time at Headingley & Scarborough so enjoyable both on and off the pitch, and also so very welcoming to my family.

'I will be giving my all for the rest of the season and hope to contribute some more match-winning performances to the team and keep us in Division One.

'Thank you to all the fantastic supporters who have been so kind to me and taken me as one of your own for the past six years, it really does mean a huge amount to me.

'I'm sure there will be some emotional goodbyes at the end of the season but for now I just want to crack on with my cricket and do my best for the team.'