Leicestershire County Cricket Club are excited to have handed Academy all-rounder Rehan Ahmed his first contract within professional cricket.

The 16-year-old leg-spinner first represented Leicestershire CCC at under 15s level in May 2018 and has since featured for various ECB age group sides as well as being part of our Academy.

Rehan has caught the eye throughout his time with the Running Foxes, producing match-winning performances with both bat and ball, including a best of 134no and a recent four for 17 from 10 overs with the ball in the victory over Derbyshire Under 18s.

The talented youngster has also performed well in the Second XI including scoring 34 batting at number 3 in a T20 against Lancashire Second XI, and taking four for 45 in the second innings during the impressive SEC win at Glamorgan Second XI.

Rehan was recently selected to spend three days with the English County Select squad in a three-day fixture against India at Durham during their tour of England.

The opposition included players of high calibre such as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara, and the Foxes man had the chance to train alongside the likes of Haseeb Hameed, Jake Libby and Will Rhodes in an experience that will benefit him greatly in the future.

Upon signing with Leicestershire CCC, Rehan said: “It is brilliant to sign my first contract for Leicestershire, this is the best news I’ve ever received so far in my cricket career.

“I have enjoyed playing for the Academy and Second team and I am looking forward to starting this new journey with the Running Foxes.”

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon said: “Rehan [Ahmed] is a special talent, a gifted leg-spinning all-rounder who has impressed us both in the Academy and Second XI, and whenever he’s been given the chance to train with the First XI squad.

“This is an exciting time for him and his family. Rehan [Ahmed] has earned the opportunity to stake his claim for a First XI place, and we all look forward to watching him continue his development with us.”

Further, Head of Talent Pathway at LCCC, Alastair Maiden said: “We are extremely proud at the LCCC Academy of Rehan [Ahmed] and we are not surprised that he has been offered this opportunity.

“Rehan [Ahmed] was always a potential future Fox and now he has made the next step forward we are excited to see how far he can go with his immense potential.”

Rehan will immediately be available for selection within Paul Nixon's squad for the Yorkshire Vikings fixture on Sunday, July 25.

You can purchase tickets for the fixture HERE.