CHRIS Rogers' time as Derbyshire's overseas player is to come to a close at the end of the season.

After three seasons of leading their batting, the Australian left-hander, 33 years old today, has confirmed that he will be joining Middlesex on a two-year deal.

Though he admits this has been the toughest season of his career, Rogers said the decision to leave the County Ground has been a hard one but the lure of making his home in London and playing at Lord's has proved irresistible for what is likely to be his last move as a player.

"I've had a fantastic time at Derby and I've loved every minute of it but this is another challenge," he said.

"Every Australian cricketer, apart from playing a Test in Melbourne or Sydney, wants to play at Lord's.

"I've only ever played county cricket in the Midlands and this is probably my last opportunity – that's why it was such an attractive option.

"I have spoken to another county as well, so there were three options and every one had its pros and cons.

"It was quite a difficult decision to leave Derby because I've spent a fair bit of time here and I've got strong relationships with John Morris, the support staff and the other players.

"It's never an easy decision to leave something you've been a part of for a long time but I've given everything I possibly can to Derbyshire.

"If we'd been promoted then I think the challenge of playing in the first division with a club you've been on the journey with would have been very exciting but that hasn't happened and, disappointingly, we've gone a step backwards this year.

"There have been other times in my career where I've found things difficult but this year has been exceptionally tough.

"I had such high hopes this season and I truly believed we had the talent to do something this year, to take another step, so to go backwards has been soul-destroying.

"It's disappointing where we've ended up this year but I think we definitely have made improvements and if it wasn't for a fair bit of bad luck and unfortunate injuries this year could have been a lot different.

"The difference between winning and losing games has been quite a small margin at times and we just haven't had the resources when we needed them."

Rogers missed yesterday's CB40 match at the County Ground with a sore knee but hopes to be fit to play in the LV County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Bristol, starting today.

He is almost certain to finish the season as Derbyshire's top run-scorer for the third successive year and will prove a hard player to replace – not least because so few high quality overseas players these days are available for the whole season.

Rogers first came to Derbyshire in 2004 but a succession of injuries ended his stay early. He went on to have spells with Northants and Leicestershire before returning to the County Ground in 2008. He was captain from midway through that first season until two weeks ago and, in the last three years, has scored 4,044 first-class runs at an average of 63.19, with 15 centuries for the county in total.

Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris said: "Chris has been a great player, captain and ambassador for the past three years and I would like to thank him for all he has done during his time with us.

"He has been a great professional and a consistent scorer of big runs. He leaves with our very best wishes."