Middlesex have signed Ali Orr, the batter once tipped as a future Test opener, from Hampshire on a three-year deal.

Orr, 25, made a surprise move from his boyhood club Sussex to Hampshire three years ago after a clash with director of cricket Paul Farbrace, but failed to kick on as hoped. He was a prolific run-scorer in the One-Day Cup, but averaged just 23.48 in 15 County Championship games for Hampshire and has now agreed a switch to his third county.

"I'm really excited to be joining Middlesex, a club moving in a positive direction with some extremely talented young players," Orr said. "This is a fresh start for me, and I'm looking forward to competing across all three formats, consistently making a difference in the side."

Peter Fulton, Middlesex's head coach, said he was "thrilled" to sign Orr. "He is a highly talented player who has already proved he can be successful at this level of cricket," Fulton said. "We see some real upside to his game and think that a fresh start at Middlesex can help him get back to scoring big runs and providing more competition for places in our top order."

Two other counties announced new signings on Wednesday. Wicketkeeper George Bell has signed a two-year contract at Essex after a successful loan stint from Lancashire last month, and allrounder Ben Mike has agreed a deal with Glamorgan following the expiration of his contract at Leicestershire.

Bell, a former England Under-19s keeper, signed on an emergency loan deal with Jordan Cox (England), Michael Pepper and Simon Fernandes (both injured) all unavailable. He made three half-centuries in the Championship run-in as Essex narrowly avoided relegation, and was named the club's player of the month for September.

"I am absolutely delighted to sign permanently with Essex for the next two years," he said. "It's an exciting opportunity which I hope to grab with both hands and I can't wait to get going again with the lads ahead of the 2027 season… I believe that this is an environment that will help me to develop my game further and hopefully contribute to Essex wins and trophies."

Mike, who has also played for Yorkshire, was in and out of the Leicestershire side last year across formats. "I'm really excited to be joining Glamorgan and starting this new chapter in my career," he said. "It's a club with a proud history but the recent achievements, ambition and direction of the club is very exciting."

Elsewhere, Somerset have announced that Thomas Rew - who recently won his first international call-up for England's upcoming T20Is in Australia - has signed a new contract with the club until the end of the 2029 season.