Graeme Smith has said that he is "excited" by the prospect of captaining Surrey for the next three years.
The South Africa Test skipper rejected a lucrative offer from Indian Premier League outfit Pune Warriors in November 2012 to join Surrey on a three-year deal.
Smith has revealed that he wants to be part of a long-term project, rather than the short-term option of playing in the IPL.
"It is a three-year deal and I think that shows how important it is to me and my career and how much I want to make a success of it," Sky Sports News quotes Smith as saying.
"I feel that I have had a few years of the IPL and, for me personally, I was looking forward to a new challenge. At this stage of my career I didn't want to have a fast-fix situation, a short-term option. I want the opportunity to come in and establish myself.
"It is a proud day for me to represent such an important club, a club with such stature. But mostly to represent the players, they are a hugely talented bunch of cricketers and I'm very, very excited."
Surrey begin their County Championship season when they play Somerset on April 17.
Steven Toplis
