Essex sign Durham all-rounder Mitchell Killeen on two-year deal

Essex sign Durham all-rounder Mitchell Killeen on two-year deal (Source: Getty Images)

Durham all-rounder Mitchell Killeen has agreed to join Essex on a two-year contract starting after the current season. Killeen made his debut for Durham in a One-Day Cup match in 2022, but has now decided to shift his base to Essex ahead of the 2026 season. 

So far, he has played nine List A and three first-class matches, including an impressive 5 for 36 on his County Championship debut earlier this year. He has also represented England Under-19s and the Professional County Club XI. The 20-year-old, son of former Durham seamer and current England bowling consultant Neil Killeen, was Durham’s 2nd XI player of the season in 2024, scoring over 400 runs and taking 18 wickets across the campaign.

"I am really excited to be joining Essex for the 2026 season. Essex have an excellent squad of cricketers and have obviously enjoyed some great success in recent years. Once Chris Silverwood got in touch, I knew that I wanted to be involved with what he is trying to build at Chelmsford,” said Mitchell as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"I feel my cricket is developing and I will be doing my best to push hard for regular first team cricket. I know a few of the younger players from my time with England Under-19s and I can't wait to meet the rest of the squad ahead of next season," he added.

Killeen’s signing follows that of Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire as the Essex side aims to strengthen their bowling attack for next season. Their Chief Executive Officer Dan Feist praised Mitchell’s potential and expressed enthusiasm about his development with the team. Feist believes that Killeen's incoming allows the side to bolster their bowling attack and develop the player further.

"We are really excited to be bringing Mitchell to the club. He is a young seamer with plenty of potential and we've seen what he is capable of this season in both the first-class and List A formats. He will add depth to the bowling attack and we look forward to seeing him grow and develop his game here at Essex,” said Feist.

Essex will take on Surrey in the One-Day Cup on August 15 at their home in Chelmsford.