West Indian batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has agreed a deal to become Leicestershire's new overseas player.

Sarwan, who averages more than 40 in both Tests and one-day internationals for the West Indies, will join the county for the entire season, subject to clearance from his country's cricket board as well as gaining a work permit.

The batsman will link up with the team in Barbados in mid-March on their pre-season tour and fly to the UK shortly before the start of the season.

Mike Siddall, the club's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to have completed the signing of Ramnaresh Sarwan.

"He has an impressive Test record and his availability to play all forms of the game for us during the 2012 season is an added bonus.

"We wanted to sign an experienced overseas batsman and 'Ronnie' certainly fits the bill."

The 31-year-old Sarwan made an immediate impression on test debut by scoring 84 against Pakistan and then topped the averages during the West Indies' tour to England in 2000.

He made the first of 15 Test centuries against Bangladesh and has a best score of 291 against England during a prolific series in 2009.

Sarwan posted consecutive scores of 107, 94, 106 and 291 during West Indies' 1-0 win in the five match series.

He is also a useful leg spin bowler, having taken 23 Test wickets in his career.

Leicestershire head coach Phil Whitticase thinks Sarwan will prove a hit.

He said: "He is a high-quality top-order batsman and, at 31, he is the ideal age and will offer experience in our changing room.

"I'm sure he has got the hunger to play because he has lost his place in the West Indies set-up.

"He is keen to get back, and he wants to come over and get performances under his belt.

"We have been looking for someone of his ability to add confidence to our top-order batting."

Whitticase thought he had got Pakistan Test star Mohammad Yousuf to fill the overseas role for next season but that bit the dust despite contracts being agreed.

County were also keen to sign Australia opener Ed Cowan but the Australia Cricket Board put the block on the proposed move.

Whitticase admits signing overseas stars is not as easy as it used to be, and he points to Yousuf and Cowan as examples.

"The stumbling block with Cowan was that we could not get permission from the Australia Cricket Board.

"They wanted him to finish with the team he is with and then have a break.

"Australia A are touring here in July and they want him to be involved.

"You can find a player who you think will be great for you, but there are so many things you have to deal with before you get him.

"You will rarely see an up-and-coming overseas cricketer in English cricket because they don't meet the criteria."