BEN RAINE, the Leicestershire all-rounder, will return to Durham at the end of the season.

After leaving for Leicestershire in 2013, he has now has signed a three-year contract for all formats of the game.

Raine was offered a contact extension from Leicestershire, but Sunderland-born Raine decided to move back to the North East for personal reasons.

He made his First Class debut for Durham in 2011, and impressed over the past few seasons. He has 1922 First Class runs, including eight half-centuries and he has also taken 201 wickets.

The 26-year-old has also recorded 72 wickets in 67 white ball games and scored a prolific career best 113 from 46 balls in this year’s Vitality Blast.

“I’m extremely grateful to Leicestershire and the opportunity they have given me and for their understanding in me wanting to move back to the North East,” Raine said.

“I’m delighted to be returning home and signing for Durham, I’m passionate about the region and determined to help the club compete for silverware again.”

Durham head coach Jon Lewis said: “Ben is a player who can help us compete in all formats with both bat and ball.

“He has opened the bowling in first-class cricket, bowled in the powerplay and at the death in the Vitality Blast and can bat in a number of positions.

“He’s proud to be from the North and he’ll fit well in our dressing room.”