James Anderson, 44, signs for Surrey on red-ball deal for 2027 season
James Anderson, 44, has signed for Surrey at The Oval on a deal announced on 12 November 2026 that Surrey say is for the 2027 season. Lancashire, the county where he began his professional career, did not offer him a new contract amid interest from multiple clubs.
Anderson, who made his Lancashire debut in 2001, has extended a record-breaking career that will pass his 45th birthday next July. He is England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker and, after taking 704 wickets in 188 matches, sits third on the all-time list of Test bowlers with more scalps than any other seamer; his 991 international wickets are an England record and a record for all pace bowlers.
On a special episode of his Tailenders podcast Anderson described his reaction to the move: "Going from thinking I might not play cricket again to having this opportunity - I'm properly buzzing for it," he said. "I'm just incredibly excited. I'm not doing this for a send-off. That's not the reason I've signed for Surrey."
Anderson said his exit from Lancashire last month carried emotion but that he took time to decide his next step. "There was a bit of emotion in that few days. "I was really conscious on not making a decision based on that emotion, so that's why I have taken a few weeks to try to get my ahead around everything and decide what the best way forward is. "Finding a club that wants me and has that same motivation to win trophies - I just want to be a part of something."
England forced Anderson into international retirement in the summer of 2024; he returned to play for Lancashire for two seasons and captained them this summer. Although he claimed 50 wickets, Lancashire finished second bottom of Division Two of the County Championship and new Lancashire director of cricket Paul Farbrace took the decision to release Anderson as part of a "rebuild"; Anderson leaves Old Trafford, a ground that has an end named after him.
Surrey's recruitment followed talks with director of cricket Alec Stewart; Stewart was in the England team when Anderson made his international debut in 2002. Anderson has signed a red-ball only deal, although he said he would play white-ball cricket if required, and there is no official coaching element to the contract.
Anderson said family considerations influenced his decision and that he had worked on his fitness to extend his playing time. "After thinking what would be best for me, what's best for my family and where I want to play, it was a fairly easy decision," said Anderson. "I did feel like I wanted to play again after having a good year last year. I don't feel like I'm done yet. I feel like I've got more to offer on the field. "Surrey is such a strong squad, challenging for the Championship. It's the chance to play in Division One again, which I haven't done for a few years. I just thought it was a really exciting challenge to try to take on. "Weighing up all the factors, this just felt like the best fit. It's a really strong squad: past internationals, present internationals, future internationals. I just thought it would be an exciting challenge."
Surrey are three-times County Championship winners in 2022, 2023 and 2024, finished second in 2025 and struggled in 2026, briefly flirting with relegation; Anderson's arrival adds depth to a seam attack that suffered from injuries this summer. The county also has three pace bowlers centrally contracted by England: Gus Atkinson and Matthew Fisher, while Henry Crocombe, a winter arrival from Sussex, has just been awarded a two-year deal with the national team; Surrey are also seeking a new head coach after Gareth Batty joined the staff at Chennai Super Kings.
Surrey have confirmed the contract runs for the 2027 season, and it is understood Anderson could play beyond next year.