The 52-year-old Graham Ford has signed a three-year deal and will join the English County club in February when his contract with the Sri Lanka team ends.

Ford's last assignment with Sri Lanka will be a series of three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in December.

SLC, pleased with the team's progress under Ford, is keen to renew his contract. If Ford decides to leave though, Sri Lanka's series against Pakistan in the UAE in December-January will be his last assignment with the side. Sri Lanka is due to play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20I's against Pakistan.

The SLC was intending to hold further talks with Ford, who last month was quoted as saying that he would wait until January 2014 to make a decision on his future with Sri Lanka.

Graham Ford has been appointed coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team, with the triangular ODI series in Australia next month his first assignment.

Sri Lanka Cricket are set to replace current coach Geoff Marsh with Graham Ford, the former South Africa coach, ESPNcricinfo has learned. An announcement is likely to be made after the one-day series against South Africa.