Paceman Amjad Khan will leave Kent at the end of this season - as the county cannot afford to offer him a new deal.

Khan is out of contract at the end of this summer and Kent's current financial woes mean that they cannot keep him on their payroll.

"I am sorry to be leaving having been with the club since 2002," said Khan.

"Ideally I would have liked to have continued my career with Kent but it is not to be.

"I sympathise with Kent’s off-field financial pressures and know that that the key people wanted me to stay. I look forward to new challenges with renewed vigour and believe I have what it takes to put myself back in the England frame.”

Kent chief executive Jamie Clifford added: "Amjad has been with the club for nine seasons and we are very sorry to see him leave.

"These are financially difficult times for the club and sadly we are not currently in a position to make Amjad a meaningful offer.

"This has been a very hard decision; however we believe that it is the right one given the financial context. I am sure the club’s members and supporters will join me in thanking Amjad for all his efforts and wish him the very best as he moves on.”

Kent skipper Rob Key said: “It is disappointing that the club couldn’t offer Amjad a contract that would have seen him stay.

"He has been a pleasure to play cricket with over the last nine seasons and I have no doubt that our loss will be another county’s gain. I wish him the very best.”

Khan has been linked with moves to Sussex and Somerset during the summer.