The 34-year-old seamer, who is in the final year of his contract, has spent six years at Yorkshire after joining from Northamptonshire at the end of 2012.

Brooks, the headband-sporting paceman who has proved a highly popular player with teammates and fans after being a key pillar in the club’s back-to-back County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015, said he was sad to leave the club. It is thought Yorkshire were unable to match the three years guaranteed by Somerset.

“With a genuine tear in my eye and heavy heart I will leave Yorkshire at the end of the season,” Brooks said. “It’s been a rather surreal journey, I’ve had some incredible times here and made some lifelong close friends.

“However, we made him the best offer that we could under the circumstances and we fully understand his reasons for taking up the offer from Somerset.

“We wish Jack well for the future.”

Brooks first made an impression for Oxfordshire in Minor Counties cricket, before making his first-class debut for Northants in 2009 against the touring Australians, against whom he took two wickets in an over.

Since then he has taken over 400 wickets in 114 first-class matches with a best of 6-65.

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: “We are delighted that we have secured a player of Jack’s proven quality, experience and character to add to one of the most exciting bowling attacks in the country. It’s a great reflection of our ambition, and the progress that the club has made.

“I look forward to continuing my cricketing journey and to the fresh challenges that await. My mum and her family are from Bath and I’ll be nearer to my family in Oxfordshire, so it feels a little bit like I’m coming home.

“Somerset have a fantastic reputation as a strong family club which I look forward to being a part of.”