Donald turns down new contract at Glamorgan to join Hampshire

The batsman will join up with the south coast county on an initial loan deal for the remainder of the season before turning the move permanent ahead of the 2019 summer

^{Glamorgan are losing Aneurin Donald to Hampshire}

Aneurin Donald is leaving Glamorgan for Hampshire.

The batsman will join up with the south coast county on an initial loan deal for the remainder of the season before turning the move permanent ahead of the 2019 summer.

The 21-year-old turned down the offer of a new, three-year contract at Sophia Gardens in favour of a switch to the Ageas Bowl.

He will be available for each of Hampshire's remaining County Championship matches this season.

Donald said: "I am very grateful to everyone involved in Welsh Cricket who have helped me to develop all the way through to realising my dream of playing cricket for Glamorgan.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and the club will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, supporters and staff all the very best for the future."

Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris expressed his club's disappointment at Donald's decision.

^{Donald will initially join Hampshire on loan}

The youngster came through the county's youth system and has scored more than 2,000 runs for the Welsh outfit.

Morris said: "Our strategy is increasingly focused on providing opportunities in the first team to young talented players who have come through the Glamorgan Pathway system. This year 10 players who have come through our programme have played first-class cricket, including Aneurin who made his debut as a 17-year-old.

"In line with our approach we offered Aneurin a new three-year contract to keep him at Glamorgan, which we believed was the best place for him to develop his cricket further.

"We are therefore disappointed he rejected the offer and has decided to move on from the Club. We would however like to thank Aneurin for his contribution to Glamorgan and wish him success in the future."