BUCKS County Cricket Club have pulled off a major transfer coup by signing experienced former England One-Day International batsman Mal Loye.

The 39-year-old was released by Northamptonshire at the end of last season after a distinguished first-class career in which he amassed over 15,000 runs at an average of 40.

He is renowned for being one of the most consistent batsmen in county cricket over the past 20 years, while he also possess the ability to regularly clear the boundary ropes with ease.

Bucks captain Jason Harrison, who played with Loye as a youngster, was delighted with his new signing.

He said: "Mal is very keen to play for us and is desperate to get back into the first-class game. He is a smashing bloke who will fit into the team well."

Loye was capped seven times by England and top-scored with 36 on his debut against Australia in January 2007, in which he slog-swept Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee for six in arguably the shot of the series.

He made his Championship debut for Northants in 1991, for whom he holds the county’s batting record with an astonishing innings of 322 not out against Glamorgan in 1998. During that innings, he also broke the English record for a fourth-wicket partnership in a stand for 401 with David Ripley.

The six-hitter joined Lancashire in 2003 and spent six seasons at the current county champions, topping their scoring charts in 2005. He returned to Northants in 2009 on a two-year deal, which was not renewed last Autumn.

He will make his debut in a one-day friendly for Bucks against Oxfordshire at Aston Rowant on Sunday.