Rob Ferley has declined the offer of a new two year deal at Notts.

The former Kent spinner will pursue a new opportunity with a first class county closer to London and is expected to sign a deal in the next few days.

Ferley cites his ambition to be a first choice spinner as his reason for leaving after getting stuck behind Graeme Swann and Samit Patel in the Trent Bridge pecking order.

“I enjoyed all aspects of my time at Notts and if I was playing regularly then I would have committed my future to the club,” said Ferley, who made seven appearances in the Twenty20 Cup this season.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make but I’m not going to be the number one spinner with the likes of Graeme Swann and Samit Patel around.”

Notts Director of Cricket Mick Newell praised Ferley’s contribution to the club.

“Rob would have had more of a role to play next year but he feels that he is joining a club where he can be a first choice spinner,” said Newell.

“He played a big part for us in the Twenty20 Cup and NatWest Pro40 and never let us down but his opportunities were limited by Samit Patel’s development. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Newell will look to recruit a spinner to replace Ferley with Swann and Patel likely to have regular England commitments in 2009.

“We’ll have to do some work to see who’s available,” said Newell.

“We may be able to sign an established player or develop some younger talent. There are a couple of players in the Notts Premier League that we have kept an eye on so we’ll keep our options open.”