Michael Di Venuto is a well known face of English first class cricket. He averaged 53 for Derbyshire last season and has a career average of 43 and over 16000 first class runs.

Di Venuto said that he has been impressed by the Durham set up and the progress that the club has made. He is also looking forward to helping develop the young talent at the club.

Moxon describe Di Venuto as a proven run scorer that will lead from the front. He has signed a one year contract.

Will Smith joins Durham from Nottinghamshire on a two year contract but is not a stranger to the North East having spent time at Durham University where he captained Durham UCCE and the British Universities. Aged just 24, Will looks a great talent for the future and his departure from Notts came as quite a surprise.

Will is an opening batsmen and scored his first championship century in 2006 against Middlesex following a return from shoulder surgery that saw him miss much of the 2005 season.

Will said that "Once I knew Durham were interested in signing me I jumped at the chance to move there. I`m very excited about next season and I am confident that I can repay the faith Martyn Moxon has shown in me."

Will Gidman, aged 21, also joins Durham on a two year contract. Gidman has been representing MCC young cricketers for three years and played eight 'A' games for Durham last season where he impressed coach Martyn Moxon.

Moxon described Gidman as a quality batsmen with the potential to be an all-rounder and challenge for a place in the first team.

Mitch Claydon, like Callum Thorp is an Australian fast bowler who also holds a British passport. Claydon, aged 23, played for Yorkshire last season but took just three first class wickets in three appearances.

Claydon has also signed a two year contract.