Northants boost squad with signing of Yorkshire batter Finlay Bean on three-year contract
Northants have signed Yorkshire's Finlay Bean on a three-year deal.
A top order left-handed batter who is also a wicketkeeper, Harrogate-born Bean has opted to leave his home county to take up a new challenge at the cinch County Ground.
The 24-year-old made his Yorkshire debut in 2022, and has gone on to score more than 3,000 runs in first-class and List A cricket, including eight centuries.
Bean, who has yet to play senior T20 cricket, had a year remaining on his deal at Headingley but has been allowed to leave the club early.
Last summer, Bean started the season as first choice opener for the White Rose, but after playing the first five games he lost his place and wasn't selected again.
He was then a regular for Yorkshire in their Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign.
Bean has signed a contract at Northants that will see him stay at Wantage Road until at least the end of the 2029 season.
“I’m extremely delighted to be joining Northamptonshire,” said Bean.
“I can’t wait to get started and I’m looking forward to showing the fans what I can do.
“I can see through the Blast success and County Championship performances that it’s a great group to be part of, and hopefully we can continue that next season.
“It’s an exciting time for me; to be working under Darren (Lehmann) and the rest of the coaching staff.
"I’m looking forward to developing my game and making a big contribution.”
As a 20-year-old, Bean made the headlines in the summer of 2022 when he scored a record 441 for Yorkshire IIs in a Second XI Championship match against Notts IIs - his marathon innings ending when he was bowled by new Northants team-mate Calvin Harrison!
That innings went a long way to earning him a first professional contract at Headingley, and he has gone on to score 2,649 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 33.53.
He has a highest score of 224, and has made seven centuries and six 50s.
In List A cricket, Bean has scored 517 runs at 21.54, with a highest score of 102 not out.
In all, Bean made 78 first team appearances for Yorkshire, but he now becomes a Northants player, and head coach Lehmann is pleased to welcome him to the club.
“It’s great to have Finlay join us at Northamptonshire and I can’t wait to see what he can do for us in 2027," said the Australian.
“He’s been on our radar for a while, so I’m really pleased to secure him on a long-term deal where he’ll hopefully develop and become a brilliant asset to the team.”
The signing of Bean comes hot on the heels of last week's news that fellow left-hander Saif Zaib has left Northants to sign for Hampshire.