Dale Steyn has signed for Hampshire and will play as an overseas player for the final weeks of the 2018 county cricket season.

Hampshire Cricket announced the signing of Steyn on Friday. The 34-year-old paceman will join the club in June and will train at the Ageas Bowl in preparation for the Proteas’ tour of Sri Lanka in June-July.

He will aim to return to Hampshire as an overseas player after the series for the final weeks of the 2018 season.

Steyn will also fill in for South African counterpart Hashim Amla, who joins the side for the first three months of the season, for a 50-over fixture against Somerset and a County Championship contest against Surrey in June.

‘Dale is one of the best bowlers in the world and is extremely motivated to get going after a frustrating period on the sidelines,’ said Hampshire director of cricket, Giles White. ‘It seems a great fit for both parties – we hope that we can help him get back to his best and we look forward to welcoming him to Hampshire.’

Steyn’s aim internationally will be to take three more scalps. He is currently on 419 Test wickets, two behind Shaun Pollock who is South Africa’s leading wicket-taker with 421. He has 26 five-wicket hauls, at an average of just 22.32 in 86 matches.

His ODI record stands at 180 wickets at an average of 26.62.