REIGATE Priory batsman Craig Cachopa has signed for Sussex on a two-year contract, it has been announced.
The 22-year-old arrives at Hove after being on trial with the second XI for the past two months, and has played the last two NatWest T20 Blast matches for Sussex, having made his debut against Kent last Friday.
The former New Zealand U19 captain was born in South Africa but qualifies as a non-overseas signing as he holds a Portuguese passport.
He averages over 50 in first-class cricket, having made 21 appearances for Auckland scoring nearly 1,700 runs in the process, hitting his highest score of 203 in February.
More recently he has hit centuries in both the Championship and 50-over Trophy format for Sussex's second XI.
Cachopa said of his move to Sussex: "I'm really happy to have signed here at such a historic club and this is a fantastic opportunity for me.
"I played with Chris Nash and Luke Wright in New Zealand and when I came over to the UK to play club cricket, they suggested I joined up with the second eleven.
"That gave me the chance to get to know the club and I'm absolutely thrilled to be offered a contract."
Sussex's professional cricket manager Mark Robinson said: "We're delighted to have Craig on board and we are excited to see how he progresses over the next two years.
"We can't wait to see if he is able to transfer his form that he has shown for Auckland and our second team into first team runs for us."
