England legend Anderson, 44, joins Surrey

Legendary England bowler James Anderson has extended his record-breaking career beyond his 45th birthday by signing for Surrey.

England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker was not offered a new contract by Lancashire, the county for whom he first played professionally 25 years ago.

Amid interest from multiple clubs, the 44-year-old has agreed a move to The Oval.

Surrey have said the deal is for the 2027 season, but it is understood Anderson could play on beyond next year.

"Going from thinking I might not play cricket again to having this opportunity - I'm properly buzzing for it," he said on a special episode of his Tailenders podcast.

"I'm just incredibly excited. I'm not doing this for a send-off. That's not the reason I've signed for Surrey."

Referring to his exit from Lancashire last month, Anderson said: "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 head 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."

Listen: Anderson explains Surrey move on Tailenders podcast

The move to Surrey is another – probably final – chapter in Anderson's remarkable career.

After taking 704 wickets in 188 matches, Anderson, who turns 45 in July, sits third on the all-time list of Test bowlers, with more scalps than any other seamer.

His 991 international wickets is also an England record and a record for all pace bowlers.

Anderson was forced into international retirement by England in the summer of 2024, then returned to play for Lancashire for two seasons, captaining them this summer.

Although Anderson claimed 50 wickets, Lancashire finished second bottom of Division Two of the County Championship.

New Lancashire director of cricket Paul Farbrace took the decision to release Anderson as part of a "rebuild" of the squad.

In leaving Old Trafford, Anderson has departed a ground which has an end named after him.

Now Anderson links up with Surrey after talks with director of cricket Alec Stewart, who was in the England team when the seamer made his international debut in 2002.

Anderson has signed a red-ball only deal, although Anderson he said he would play white-ball cricket if required. There is no official coaching element to the contract.

Anderson has not decided if he will relocate his family – his wife and two daughters – from their home in Cheshire.

"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 won the County Championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024. After finishing second in 2025, they struggled in 2026, briefly flirting with relegation.

The addition of Anderson boosts a seam attack that was often hit with injuries this summer.

Anderson also adds depth given Surrey have three pace bowlers centrally contracted by England.

Gus Atkinson has been joined on the England contract list by Matthew Fisher, while Henry Crocombe, a winter arrival from Sussex, has just been awarded a two-year deal with the national team.

"I don't know how much I'm going to play," said Anderson. "It's a strong squad and there are a lot of quality bowlers in that group. I'm just trying to add some quality to that group and help out off the field if I can.

"The last couple of years at Lancs, I've worked really hard on my fitness, making sure I can play a number of games. Last year I played more than I thought I would.

"All I can do is make sure I'm bowling as well as I can, I'm as fit as I can be, and try to help out when they need me."

Beyond Anderson's arrival, Surrey are also looking for a new head coach following Gareth Batty's decision to join the staff at Indian Premier League side Chennai Super Kings.