Willey, 32, left Wantage Road for Headingley ahead of the 2016 season, citing his desire to play with “some of the best players in the country” and signed a contract extension in 2019. But he said that he has always hoped to return at some stage in his career and has signed a four-year contract until the end of the 2026 season.
Darren Gough, Yorkshire’s interim director of cricket, said that the club had been keen to keep Willey at Headingley and “proactively engaged with Dave on his return from the IPL” but were “unable to match Northants’ offer, but Willey described his comments as “inaccurate” in a stinging parting statement on Instagram.
“I have loved my life in Yorkshire,” Willey wrote. “I have planted my roots and raised our young family here. Unfortunately the circumstances surrounding the recent events at the club have made my work environment unsettling. There are some great lads and fantastic players at Yorkshire and I hope the complications at the club will not take priority and overshadow their talents.
“The cricket and the current players seem to be secondary at the moment to repairing the club’s reputation. It certainly felt that way for me over the past 12 months. I play cricket because I love the game. I just want to play somewhere that cricket is the focus and where I feel valued on and off the field.
“The comments made by Yorkshire around my contract discussions with the club are inaccurate. I’d like to thank the players and staff who have helped me during my time at Yorkshire. Also, thank you to the fantastic support of Yorkshire fans. I’d love to say farewell by winning the T20 for the first time at the club.”
His return represents a major coup for Northants at a time when several members of their first-team squad are approaching the end of their respective contracts and weighing up their futures.
Ray Payne, the club’s chief executive, said Willey’s signing was “a significant move that makes our ambitions for the professional squad really clear”.
“We’ve already seen what he’s able to do for the Steelbacks,” he said, “and the international experience David has gained in white-ball cricket further strengthens our squad and really supports our goals of bringing more trophies at Wantage Road.”
“The best journey takes you home.” Willey had said in an earlier statement. “Wantage Road is home. I grew up playing on the outfield, behind the stands and in the groundsman’s shed. When I think back to my first introduction to cricket, I think of Northants.
“Northants supported and nurtured me in my younger years and gave me the opportunities to achieve my childhood dreams. During the seven years I’ve been away, I have continued to watch the club closely and found myself celebrating their successes.
“I always hoped at some stage in my career I would find my way back and I’m excited that the time is now. My love and passion for Northamptonshire has always been there and I hope I can give the club more than just my runs and wickets. I still have great ambitions in the game, to play at the highest level, to win trophies but also to give back to the club that has given me so much.”
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98