Sussex complete signing of Keith Dudgeon on two-year deal from Kent

Sussex have completed the signing of right-arm seamer Keith Dudgeon from Kent on a two-year contract, the county confirmed on October 2, 2026. The 30-year-old South African joins the club at Hove ahead of the 2027 campaign.

Dudgeon spent two seasons at Kent, where he featured in 13 County Championship matches in 2026, taking 42 wickets at an average of 32.09 with best figures of 6/21. He was Kent's second-leading wicket-taker behind Matt Milnes as the county won promotion from Division Two. In his debut season at Kent, Dudgeon claimed figures of 7/36 at Northamptonshire in the opening match before a knee injury in training cut short his campaign.

Across his first-class career, which includes a substantial body of cricket in his native South Africa, Dudgeon has taken 281 wickets at an average of 26.96. His arrival at Hove is the second new addition to the Sussex squad ahead of 2027, following the signing of Joey Evison, also from Kent.

What does Dudgeon's signing mean for Sussex in Division One?

Sussex are preparing to compete in Division One of the County Championship in 2027 and have identified Dudgeon as a bowler who can contribute at that level. Director of Cricket Paul Farbrace confirmed the signing and outlined the role Dudgeon is expected to play at Hove, both in the four-day format and in the Vitality Blast.

"He is just the quality of player and person we have been looking for to help us to continue to grow and compete in Division One of the County Championship, and aim for the knockout stages of the Blast. Keith's high level of skill, experience and winning nature is exactly what this team needs right now," Farbrace said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

What did Dudgeon say about leaving Kent and joining Sussex?

Dudgeon acknowledged the role played by Sussex and Kent personnel in facilitating the transfer, naming Paul Farbrace and Matt Walker among those he thanked. He also paid tribute to Kent, where he spent two seasons, before expressing his enthusiasm for the move to Hove.

"Really pleased to share that I’ll be joining Sussex for the next couple of seasons. Long term county cricket has been the goal for a while now and I am grateful for the backing in that given to me by Sussex. From everything I’ve been told, there’s a great group of lads in the dressing room, and I’m looking forward to joining them, bringing good energy and contributing to the team in whatever way I can. I’d like to thank Paul Farbrace and Matt Walker, as well as the captains, for making this happen. A huge thank you to everyone at Kent for the past two seasons. I’m incredibly grateful for the memories, the people and the experiences I’ve had along the way. Kent will always hold a special place for me. It’s a great club with great people and I have no doubt it will, too, go from strength to strength. Now it’s time for a new challenge, and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead at Sussex," Dudgeon said, in an offical club staement.