The 21-year-old batsman turned down a three-year contract offer from his home club Glamorgan in favour of a move to the Ageas Bowl, and will be available for all Hampshire’s remaining matches this season.

Donald, who is one of the star talents amongst Glamorgan’s fore crop of young players, said: “I am very grateful to everyone involved in Welsh cricket who have helped me to develop all the way through to realising my dream of playing cricket for Glamorgan.

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“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and the club will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, supporters and staff all the very best for the future.”

Glamorgan chief exec Hugh Morris expressed dismay at the decision. “Our strategy is increasingly focused on providing opportunities in the first team to young talented players who have come through the Glamorgan Pathway system,” he said. “This year 10 players who have come through our programme have played first-class cricket, including Aneurin who made his debut as a 17-year-old.

“In line with our approach we offered Aneurin a new three-year contract to keep him at Glamorgan, which we believed was the best place for him to develop his cricket further.

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“We are therefore disappointed he rejected the offer and has decided to move on from the club. We would however like to thank Aneurin for his contribution to Glamorgan and wish him success in the future.”

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: ‘’Aneurin is a young player with a good attitude and lots of ability, he will add competition to the batting group and we hope that he is able to reach his potential with us at Hampshire.’’