Surrey County Cricket Club have added two more rising stars to their professional squad, with the signing of Simon King and Laurie Evans on two and one-year professional contracts respectively.

King was awarded a one year contract with Surrey’s full time staff at the end of 2006 and yesterday re-signed with a two year contract after impressing the Surrey coaches with consistent performances in the second team throughout the summer. The 20-year old off-spinner picked up 20 wickets in the Second XI Championship.

Get to know one of Surrey's promising youngsters, Laurie Evans, by clicking on his player profile here.

Evans signed a one year summer contract at the end of the 2006 season and started his studies at Durham University that winter. A member of the University Centre of Excellence, he showed his class by scoring 365 runs in four first class matches at an average of 52.14. The right-handed batsman followed up his maiden first class century against Lancashire, with a half-century for the MCC in a tour match against the West Indies. Nevertheless, the 20 year-old has decided not to continue his studies at Durham, instead signing a full-time one year contract with Surrey.

Surrey Cricket Manager, Alan Butcher awarded Evans with the inaugural Easter Scholarship, which will fund the young Surrey man’s trip to the Darren Lehman Academy in Adelaide over the winter.

Both players are products of the Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy and are two of the ten graduates to sign professional contracts since the formulation of the Academy in 2002.

On the two latest signings, Butcher commented: “Laurie has been rewarded for a successful first season at Durham UCCE and we have shown faith in Simon King by giving him time to learn his trade. I know they will do everything possible to forge a successful career at Surrey.”

He added: “Laurie is also the first recipient if the Easter Group Scholarship, which will enable him to spend the winter at the Darren Lehman Academy in Adelaide. This is a great opportunity and we really appreciate the support of Easter in the development of our young players.”

The Managing Director of Easter Group, Peter Taylor said: “We are pleased to support young Surrey cricketers and we hope that Laurie’s spell at the Darren Lehman Academy proves useful in his development as a professional cricketer.”

Click here to see Laurie Evans' player profile exclusive to Surrey TV

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