Somerset County Cricket Club has confirmed that Steve Davies will retire from the sport when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old former England wicketkeeper joined Somerset from Surrey at the end of 2016 and went on to feature in a total of 136 matches for the County, scoring over 4500 runs and claiming 277 victims behind the stumps. He was also awarded his Somerset County Cap in 2017.

Davies said: “I will always look back at my career with somerset fondly. During my time here we managed to win a couple of trophies and play some really good red-ball cricket.

“I feel that now is the right time for me to retire. I always said to the Club that as soon as we get the right person in place to take over, I would step aside and let them get their exposure and learning done while they are young. I think we can all agree that Somerset are in safe hands with Rewy behind the stumps.

Somerset CCC director of cricket Andy Hurry added: “Steve has had an amazing career within both the international and domestic arenas, and during his time with us he has been the consummate professional.

“On behalf of everyone associated with the Club; the players, the staff and everyone within the game who has had the privilege to play or work alongside Steve, we thank him for everything. He moves on to this new and exciting chapter in his life with all our best wishes, and we look forward to warmly welcoming him back to the Cooper Associates County Ground in the future.”

Davies finished with a message to Somerset members and supporters.

“I’d like to thank all the Members and supporters from Worcestershire, Surrey and Somerset who have always shown me great support. I also need to thank all the Directors of Cricket, CEOs, coaches and staff for all the opportunities they have given me."