Darren Stevens will leave Kent at the end of the season after 17 years with the club.

The legendary all-rounder, described as “an inspirational cricketer” by Kent director of cricket Paul Downton, will depart this summer having been an incredible success since signing from hometown club Leicestershire ahead of the 2005 campaign.

“It’s bitter-sweet that my time at Kent has finally come to an end after such a long run where I'm so proud to have lived out my boyhood dream with such a phenomenal club,” said the 46-year-old, nicknamed Stevo, who hopes to play on elsewhere next year.

“The memories will stay with me forever.

“I have been fortunate to have played with some of the greats of the game and created lifelong friendships.

“I’m so grateful for being able to do what I love for so long and, during that time, achieve so many success stories - for both myself and the club.

“There are so many people to thank that contributed to my time here, David Fulton and Simon Willis for giving me the opportunity to represent the club back in 2005.

“Keysie [former Kent captain Rob Key] for giving me the new ball and beginning my bowling career. All my team-mates over the years, and the Kent employees that have helped me in all different ways.

“Last but by no means least the fans. How you have stuck by me over the years - celebrating my highs and supporting me through my lows - your support has been overwhelming and something I will always be grateful for so thank you!

“I’m looking forward to the next chapter but looking back I'm very proud of the one I’ve just completed.”

Downton added: “Over the last 25 years, Darren Stevens has been an inspirational cricketer.

“His ability to time a cricket stroke and his subtle skill with the ball have made him a crowd favourite wherever he has played.

• Stevens coaches The Stars

“His numbers are remarkable in the modern era, which, along with his ability to influence and win matches, make him a true Kent legend.

“As a Kent player for over 17 years, he has won multiple awards, accolades and trophies which will be a part of the club’s history forever.

“He will - quite rightly - be remembered as one of the players that defined a generation of Kent Cricket.

“It is unthinkable that a player of his talent was never selected to play international cricket.”

Stevens twice helped guide Kent to T20 Blast glory - hitting an unbeaten 30 in their 2007 final against Gloucestershire to lead them to victory before Matt Walker’s team won the crown again last year. Stevens had been left out for Kent's T20 quarter-final against the Birmingham Bears but returned to play his part on finals day at Edgbaston.

The right-arm seamer concludes his Kent career with 110 wickets in the shortest format of the game - just 10 wickets away from surpassing James Tredwell’s all-time record. He, arguably, has been one of the most popular figures in T20 cricket in England having made his first T20 appearance when the format was only days old in 2003.

He was set to leave the club three years ago after being told there was no new contract offer on the table but his stunning form prompted a U-turn amid a growing call among supporters for Kent to reverse their decision.

With the ball, Kent say Stevens has more than 850 wickets, averaging 26.00 across all formats. They also say he has more than 22,000 runs and 43 centuries for The Spitfire Ground club.

His personal first-class best of 237 came in County Championship Division 1 in 2019 at Yorkshire as he put on 346 alongside Sam Billings to set the highest sixth-wicket partnership in Kent's history.

Even this year - despite struggling to get a regular run in the side - a swashbuckling 168 from him against a Sri Lanka Development XI in May saw him and South African all-rounder George Linde put on 264 to come close to breaking a record fifth-wicket partnership which has stood for nearly 100 years.

On Twitter, Kent head coach Matt Walker wrote: "An end of an era!

"Having played with him, and now his coach, it’s been a joy watching his career at Kent from start to finish. [He is] an incredible talent and a modern day great of County Cricket.

"What a ride it’s been!"

Kent say they are working with Stevens, who has been sidelined since injuring his calf last week while batting in their Royal London One-Day Cup loss to Glamorgan, to ensure his contributions as a Kent player are suitably recognised and will provide further information in due course.

Stevens is a multiple Kent player-of-the-year winner and was awarded his Kent cap in his debut season.