Worcestershire county cricket club signed fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for the 2005 season subject to official clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

In a statement on its official website on Wednesday the second division club said Shoaib would be available from July 1.

"Shoaib is a world class strike bowler in both forms of the game and he will spearhead our drive for success in the latter half of the season," said director of cricket Tom Moody.

"He creates a huge buzz whenever he bowls and I have no doubt Shoaib will be a popular member of the squad both on and off the field."

Shoaib said he was looking forward to helping Worcestershire get back into the first division.

"I'll be rested and raring to go when I start in July," he said.

Shoaib, 29, who is one of the world's fastest bowlers, has taken 133 wickets at 24.32 each in his 33 Tests.