Richard Johnson Leaves Bears For Derbyshire

Wicketkeeper Richard Johnson has left Warwickshire to sign a three-year contract with Derbyshire following two loan spells with the Club during the 2012 season.

Since joining the professional ranks in 2008, 24 year-old Johnson - who played junior cricket for the Bears since the Under 11s age group and attended Solihull School - has played 11 First Class games, 13 List A and 18 t20 matches for Warwickshire.

In 2010 he played in the successful CB40 final against Somerset at Lord's and was also part of the Warwickshire team that clinched the 2012 LV County Championship title at Worcester in early September.

Commenting on his move, Richard said: "I'm very proud to have progressed through the Warwickshire ranks from a junior to a member of the full squad and I’m leaving the Club with many happy memories. I would like to thank my team mates, coaching staff and everyone at Warwickshire for their support over the years and I wish the Club the very best for the future.

"Whilst I've had to make a difficult decision in moving on, the opportunity to play more first team cricket in Division 1 for Derbyshire was one that I couldn’t turn down. The Club has great ambitions to build on last year's promotion, so I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead."

Ashley Giles, Warwickshire's Director of Cricket, said: "It's sad that we're losing such a talented home-grown player as Richard, who is very popular with everyone here at Warwickshire.

"However, we cannot stand in the way of someone's ambitions to play more first team cricket, so he leaves with the best wishes of all players and management at Warwickshire and I'm sure that he’ll also enjoy a successful career at Derbyshire."