Lancashire take advantage of gap to sign Flintoff

London: Lancashire have taken advantage of an exemption in the salary cap to sign Andrew ‘Freddie' Flintoff on a three-year contract that breaks new ground for the domestic game.

Negotiations with Flintoff's management, which have lasted several months, would have been even more difficult had Lancashire been required to incorporate the 31 year old's wages beneath the ceiling of around £1.8 million (Dh10.96 million) that counties have agreed to accept for all player payments from the 2010 season, given the uncertainty over his fitness and other playing commitments.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board amended the initial salary cap regulations to give counties an 18-month window for players such as Flintoff who have come out of central contracts with England.

"There is a cooling-off period between players coming off a central contract and them counting under the salary cap, to help counties accommodate them," Lancashire's cricket director, Mike Watkinson, said.

Flintoff's decision to retire from Test cricket means he should be available to play more regularly for his county than at any stage since his international debut in 1998, and although the new deal covers only one-day cricket, he has left open the possibility of making the odd championship appearance. He was set to attend a press conference at Old Trafford yesterday to provide further details of his plans, as well as an update on his rehabilitation from his post-Ashes knee surgery.

"I am delighted at being able to agree a new contract which enables me to remain at Old Trafford for the next three years," Flintoff said on Thursday.

"I have felt part of Lancashire ever since I first played here as a schoolboy and I want to help them achieve success. I have enjoyed many highs with England over the years, but I have not had the same success with Lancashire and that is something I want to address. I have a good relationship with Peter Moores and Glen Chapple and hopefully I can be of help to them both on the pitch and in the dressing room."

Watkinson was delighted the all-rounder had committed his future to the county.

"Fred is Lancashire through and through and he is a great inspiration to our young players," he said.

Moores, the head coach, added: "Fred is a proven match-winner, and the type of player that lifts a dressing room with his sheer enthusiasm and will to win."