The Sydney Sixers have secured the signature of Jackson Bird for BBL05 after a number of clubs chased the services of the off contract fast bowler.

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Bird’s joining with the Sixers, on a three year deal, is a homecoming for the Sydney-sider who grew up on the Northern Beaches and played for Manly Cricket Club.

He joins fellow quicks Mitch Starc and Doug Bollinger in Magenta and fills a void left by retiring legend Brett Lee.

The 28 year old has spent the last four BBL seasons at the Melbourne Stars but is looking forward to joining the Sixers outfit, a team that has featured in two BBL finals over the four seasons.

Sydney Sixers General Manager Dominic Remond expressed his delight at the signing of the Australian representative.

“We are delighted to secure the services of Jackson on a multi-year deal and welcome him home to Sydney,” Remond said.

“He has been a very consistent performer in the Big Bash with impressive stats for both economy rate and strike rate.

“Whilst a different type of bowler, Jackson will help fill the void created in our bowling ranks after Brett Lee’s retirement. He has played a lot of junior cricket with many of our team, so should fit in seamlessly.”

Bird said the opportunity at the Sixers allowed him to spend more time at home in Sydney over summer.

“It’s a good opportunity to come home and play in front of my family and friends and I’m really looking forward to joining the Sixers,” Bird said.

“Nothing really beats Sydney during the summer so I’m looking forward to getting around and going down to the beach and all that sort of stuff.”

On comparisons to the recently retired Lee, Bird said he usually plays a different role within the team.

“I’m a little bit different to what Brett brought to the team, obviously he bowls a lot faster than I do, but in the last couple of years I’ve been pretty successful bowling in the first couple of overs and trying to take early wickets and I think that will probably be my role here at the Sixers.”

Bird will spend the Australian winter in Hampshire playing County cricket before returning to Australia prior to the 2015/16 summer.

Bird will continue to play for Tasmania for the Shield and Matador BBQ Cup tournaments and will link with the Sixers in mid-December for the period of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.