Dwayne ‘Sluggo’ Leverock will be playing cricket for Cleveland County next season, The Royal Gazette can exclusively reveal.

Leverock handed his transfer papers to the Bermuda Cricket Board last week and is already training with his new side.

The shock move has stunned former club Southampton Rangers, who had expected the charasmatic cricketer to be with them for the foresable future.

In contrast, his signing is a massive coup for Cleveland who struggled last year, finishing sixth in the Premier Division.

“We thought him coming to us would be a long-term thing,” Randy Raynor, the president of Southampton Rangers said.

“He will be a big loss to us for the upcoming season with his ability to turn a game on its head. He bought a lot to the table.

“He is an asset to any club he joins, and we wish him well with his future in cricket.”

Leverock helped Rangers to three titles last year, and has said his move was motivated by a desire to give something back to the game he loves.

“I have a lot to give to the game on the island and just want to help out where I can,” Leverock told The Royal Gazette.

“I have experience and know what it takes to be successful in this sport.

“Hopefully I can help Cleveland to get to the top of local cricket.

“Professionalism is key in sports so I want to give the players some insight to make them better players and in return make us a better team.

“I have had a good career, so I feel it is only fair to give back to the game.

“All I want to do now is help clubs that can utilise me and bring success to their respective communities.”

And Clay Smith, the Cleveland coach, is in no doubt that ‘Sluggo’ will have a huge impact on his side.

“We have a young team and a young spinner in Tamauri Tucker, so hopefully he will come and assist in the development of him and give confidence to our side,” said Smith.

“Psychologically it will good for us knowing he is on our side.”

Looking to the upcoming season, Smith is hoping for good things.

“We are always optimistic,” he said. “Along with Dwayne we have two other additions, so we should be in with a shout of lifting some silverware this season as long as we perform to a high standard.”

Leverock started out his senior career at Devonshire Rec. before moving to Police.

He then joined Western Stars where he enjoyed many trophy laden seasons with the likes of Arnold Manders, Albert Steede and Hassan Durham.

Southampton Rangers was his next destination where he joined the likes of fellow Somerset Cup Match players Janeiro and Kwame Tucker for more success, with his last season lifting three trophies.

His departure has left a huge void in the side. But it is a team Raynor is confident will still be competitive.

“We have the resources to bounce back from this loss,” he said. “We have a good youth system in place at the club which will enable us to produce players to fill voids like this.

“We will be competitive this season and look to defend our trophies and look to the one-day trophy as our objective this season.”