Surrey complete Harbhajan signing

Harbhajan is ranked the 11th best bowler in Test cricket

Surrey have confirmed the signing of India spinner Harbhajan Singh following approval from the Indian cricket board.

Harbhajan, 24, who has played 39 Tests and 91 one-day internationals, replaces Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq.

"With Saqlain struggling to recover from two serious knee injuries I felt we needed to strengthen our spin attack," said manager Steve Rixon.

"He's one of the world's best spinners and he'll relish the sort of pitches produced here at The Brit Oval."

Harbhajan, rated the 11th best bowler in the world, was signed by Lancashire for the 2003 season but did not play a game due to a finger injury.

He later had surgery on the damaged digit which meant another frustrating absence from the game for much of 2004.

However his recent performances against Australia, in which he picked up three five-wicket hauls in just three Tests, showed he was back on top of his game.

He is currently preparing for the two-Test series against South Africa, which begins on Saturday.