Alviro Petersen has signed to play for Somerset in next year's county cricket season.

It will be the South African batsman's third stint in county cricket, having previously spent time at Glamorgan and Essex.

The 31-year-old told the club's website: "Somerset are a successful team in all forms of cricket and I look forward to becoming part of the setup at the County Ground. I hope that I can help them to win some trophies in 2013."

Chief executive Guy Lavender added: "He is an exceptional player and has an impressive record as a batsman, which he demonstrated during this summer's series against England. We look forward to welcoming him to Taunton in the spring."

Petersen has played in 16 Tests and 17 one-day internationals.