The former South Australian state wicketkeeper has signed with Premier Cricket club Geelong for two years, following a long stint with the Redbacks and Big Bash League team Adelaide Strikers.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Victoria … I’m very excited, to be honest,” Ludeman said.

“I can’t wait. I’ve been in Adelaide for the last nine years and unfortunately I’ve missed out on a contract (with the Redbacks), so I was pretty keen to get back home.

“Geelong’s a great little town and similar to Warrnambool in a lot of ways, so it’s a good move.

“I’m going to be living in Geelong, so ideally I wanted to play for Geelong and it’s all managed to work out, which is great.”

Ludeman, a hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman, slipped down the pecking order in South Australia following the recruitment of star former Tasmania cricketer Ben Dunk last summer.

Ludeman had averaged 31.6 and 36.57 runs in the two BBL campaigns leading into last summer, but made just three appearances for the Strikers in BBL|06 as Dunk, also a big-hitting wicketkeeper, staked his claim on the spot.

Geelong first XI coach Andrew Borovec said the club was thrilled to lure the 29-year-old to Kardinia Park.

“It’s really exciting,” Borovec said.

“It’s a massive coup and he gives us much more than just pure talent.

“While he hasn’t arrived at the club year, we’d expect him to be a role model who is a good communicator, good leader and good performer.

“Putting myself in the shoes of our younger players, the more we can have a player of Tim’s calibre around the group, the better.

“And we don’t just go out and recruit a player for the sake of it; we recruit the right person along with the skills that are required, and we’re hoping he’s the full package.”