Jack Brooks capped a highly successful season by signing a one-year professional contract with Northamptonshire.
The Oxford and Oxfordshire paceman will begin training with the first-class county three days a week from next month and be paid from March.
Brooks, 24, played twice for Surrey 2nd earlier in the summer before making a big impression with Northants.
He said: "After Surrey didn't get back to me, I had a couple of other options.
"A guy I know gave me a contact at Northants and I went for a net trial.
"That went well and I got six wickets and 40 odd in my first match for their second team against Warwickshire.
"I had a couple more games and they were pretty keen to sign me up."
Brooks made a big effort to target a career in cricket this year after working hard at his fitness.
"I have exceeded my own expectations this summer," he said. "I didn't expect to get a deal so quickly.
"I am a lot more focused than I was before and I'm getting better match by match.
"I have have great guidance from Jason Harrison, my captain at Oxford.
"I just took my chances when I got them."
Brooks will still work two days a week as a salesman aside from his training.
He said: "I may get to go abroad in January, probably to South Africa, if they think I'm ready, or I may need more training.
"I've worked really hard and I just can't wait for next season.
"I will be moving up there, but I still hope to play for Oxford if I am not involved with the Northants first team.
Brooks added: "I had trials for the south of Engalnd when I was a teenager, but I was a totally different player then.
"I have developed a lot mentally and physically. In a way it's better to get a chance now.
"I have got a good work ethic. This is what I really want to do."
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