David Wiese has become the third South African in less than a week to effectively end his international career in favour of a move to county cricket after signing a three-year deal at Sussex.

The Guardian highlighted in December that Cricket South Africa has become powerless to prevent players from turning their backs on the country in order to join English counties on Kolpak deals. Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw did just that in order to join Hampshire last week, and now Sussex have announced the signing of Wiese as a Kolpak registered player subject to England and Wales Cricket Board permission.

The 31-year-old all-rounder, who had two stints at Hove last season, played six one-day internationals and 20 Twenty20s for South Africa. “I am very excited to be joining Sussex on a long-term deal. I thoroughly enjoyed my stint with the club last year and it made my decision so much easier when offered to return,” he said. Wiese will join his compatriot and fellow Kolpak Stiaan van Zyl, who signed for the club in November, at Hove for the 2017 season.

“Sussex is an extremely ambitious club and I look forward to being part of their future. I would like to thank Cricket South Africa for giving me the opportunity of fulfilling my lifelong dream of representing my country in the sport I love.”

The Sussex head coach, Mark Davis, said: “We are thrilled to have David joining us at Sussex Cricket. He is an extremely accomplished all-round cricketer who is effective in all formats and will bring great experience and skill to our group.

“He will add significantly to our white-ball team with his bowling and powerful batting at the death and has already shown his potential last season in the longer format. His experience will be invaluable to our young developing team.”

Wiese was due to be part of South Africa’s squad for the T20 series against Sri Lanka this month. But the CSA selection convener, Linda Zondi, confirmed he would not be available for selection. “David Wiese was one of our original selections but he has informed us that he intends to take up a Kolpak contract and has therefore been withdrawn from the squad,” he said.