Monty Panesar believes it will not be long before Hove starts to feel like home.

Sussex’s new signing spoke to several people, including former county legend Mushtaq Ahmed, before ending a decade with Northamptonshire to sign a three-year contract this week.

The club’s reputation for making new players feel wanted was a big factor in the decision of a player whose enthusiasm for cricket is still very evident even though the game has dealt him a few rough hands in the past year or so, including the loss of his England place and lucrative central contract.

He said: “I spoke to Mushy and he was keen to have me at Hove and he said that there was a real family feel to the club and Mike Yardy, who I have toured with, was also very persuasive.

“Ed Joyce is a good example of a player who has gone down there and settled very quickly.

“That suggests to me a really strong team culture which I am keen to play a part in developing further. I am looking forward to living by the sea and adapting to a new environment.”

READ MORE OF OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MONTY PANESAR AND SEE SUSSEX FIXTURES FOR 2010 IN THE ARGUS TODAY