RIKKI Clarke says he is looking forward to putting a

"wasted" year behind him after leaving Derbyshire.

The 26-year-old former captain brought an end to a miserable

brief spell at the County Ground by signing a three-year deal

with Warwickshire yesterday after asking to be released 11

months into a two-year contract with Derbyshire.

He will be eligible to play for his new club straight away

and could be back in Derby with Warwickshire for a Pro40 League

match on September 13.

Clarke never really showed anything like the form with bat

or ball his reputation promised this season.

He arrived in October from Surrey, having played two Tests

and 20 one-day internationals, with the stated intention of

winning his England place back through the strength of his

performances with Derbyshire but his batting was erratic and

his bowling too often wayward.

Clarke was left out of the team at Northampton in July and

resigned as captain a month later. It was clear then that he

was desperate to get away from the club.

His poor form was plain to see but, behind the scenes, it

was also apparent that his working relationship with head of

cricket John Morris had broken down irreparably.

Neither man has gone so far as to lambast the other but both

accept it was time for a parting of ways.

"I'm not going to make excuses, I've had a shocking year but

I believe you have to be a happy player to be a performing

player," said Clarke.

"It was not going to work out for me and I didn't want to

waste any more time. The year I've had doesn't warrant the

player I am.

"I did get warned by a lot of people about coming to Derby

but I ignored them because I was confident it was the right

decision.

"I bought a house with the long-term intention of ending my

career here. I wanted it to work out but I have to say now it

probably was a mistake.

"Everyone makes mistakes in life and for me it was a mistake

coming to Derby. I have nothing against the city or the club;

the players in the changing room were brilliant and I have made

some really good friends.

"I think it is a lovely place and I hope they do well in the

future. I still feel the club can go somewhere but for the sake

of my own career, I had to get away.

"I've wasted a year of my career but I am going to

Warwickshire for a fresh start to put that right and to push

myself for an England place again."

Morris added that he was "desperately disappointed" at

losing the player he hoped would lead Derbyshire for many years

to come.

"No-one wanted him to succeed at Derbyshire more than I

did," Morris said.

"He came with the reputation of a top cricketer but he

wasn't the success he hoped he would be.

"We shook hands and I wish him well, I really do. He is a

nice lad and there are no sour grapes.

"It hasn't worked out for him and us, so the right and

sensible thing to do is to move on."