Teenage wicketkeeper Ryan Davies has signed for Somerset County Cricket Club.

The 18-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate played eight first XI fixtures for Kent, deputising for Sam Billings while he was on England duty.

The England Under 19 gloveman said: “As a Kent lad born and bred, it was a tough decision but the opportunity to play more regularly at Somerset was too good to refuse.

“I’d like to thank all the coaches at Kent and my teammates over the years for their support and I wish the club all the best for the future.”

Chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: “We wish Ryan well with the next chapter as a professional cricketer. Ideally we would have liked to see him stay at Kent for longer, but understand the challenge he faces as a wicketkeeper to secure first team action.

“All at Kent Cricket continue to be extremely proud of our record of producing players from our Academy who go on to play first class cricket, Ryan is another example of that and we will follow his career with interest.”