Ricardo Vasconcelos has signed a new five-year contract with Northamptonshire.
Johannesburg-born opener Vasconcelos still had two years remaining on his previous contract but has penned the new deal to secure his place at Wantage Road until the end of the 2024 season.
“It was an easy decision for me to stay here.” said Vasconcelos “Northants took a chance on me and picked me out of South Africa, so it was a no brainer for me to be loyal to the club that gave me a chance to live my dream.”
Vasconcelos, 21, first appeared for Northamptonshire as a non-overseas player – he has a Portuguese passport – against Pakistan in 2018 before making his County Championship debut against Leicestershire later that year. He was on track for a thousand-run Championship season before an ankle injury ended his campaign early. At the time, he had amassed 750 runs at an average of 46.87 for the season.
“The club has really shown ambition this year with some top-class overseas signings so hopefully that ambition pays off and we can get promoted and continue to improve in Div One next year.” Vasconcelos said.
“The injury is coming along well, I’ve started walking again now so this is where the hard work starts, I guess, but I’m prepared to put in the work and come back stronger and fitter than ever for what hopefully will be a really good season for us in Division One next year.
“I’ve been working hard to get back fit and I’ll be playing some club cricket in South Africa over the winter to make sure I’ve got some cricket under my belt before the start of the new season.”
Northamptonshire are third on the County Championship Division Two table with three rounds remaining.