YORKSHIRE have reinforced their determination to mount a strong defence of the LV= County Championship by signing top-order Pakistan batsman Younus Khan for the opening games of the 2015 season.

The experienced Test right-hander is due to arrive in time for the Division One opener against Worcestershire at New Road on April 12.

He will then stay with the county until Aaron Finch's commitments in the Indian Premier League have ended.

This will be 37-year-old Khan's second spell with Yorkshire. In 2007 he scored 824 runs in 19 Championship innings at an average of 48.47, including a top score of 217 not out against Kent at Scarborough.

Given Khan's experience and class, Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon was understandably "delighted" with his new signing.

"We have been looking for a world-class batsman to strengthen that department at the start of the season and Younus fits the bill," said Moxon.

"He will add real quality to our top-order. It also helps that he understands the culture of the club and what it means to play for Yorkshire. That was a major factor in our signing him.

"We are well aware of his qualities and we hope his vast experience will enable us to continue our efforts from last year and give us a great opportunity to get off to a winning start in the Championship campaign.

"He will be with us for the first part of the season and we will then replace him with Aaron Finch, another proven international player."

For his part, Khan – who is in his country's World Cup squad – is excited to be returning to Headingley, where he made a positive impact as Yorkshire's first overseas signing from Pakistan.

He said: "It is a great honour to be returning to Headingley and playing for Yorkshire. This is one of the finest cricket clubs in the world.

"Yorkshire are going well and deserved to win the title last year. I hope my experiences in the first-class game will help them maintain their position at the top of the County Championship.

"The Championship is regarded as one of the best domestic competitions in the world and to test myself in English conditions can only enhance my game.

"I'm looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and also reuniting myself with Jason Gillespie, who I played alongside in 2007. He is a great coach and I can't wait to work with him.

"For the Yorkshire supporters, I am eager to replicate the form I showed the last time I was involved and build on the club's superb form over the past couple of seasons."

Khan has played in 96 Test matches during a 14-year career, averaging over 53 from 172 innings including a highest score of 313 against Sri Lanka. In 2009 he captained Pakistan to the world T20 title.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire have announced a new coaching structure for the 2015 campaign.

Following the departure of Richard Dawson to Gloucestershire, director of cricket development Ian Dews will take over full responsibility for the second team.

Dews, who has been involved with Yorkshire since 1996, has been pivotal in the development of the majority of the county's current crop of senior players. He will continue his role of cricket development alongside second-team duties.

Richard Damms, who recently qualified as an ECB Level Four coach – the highest accolade one can receive – has been promoted to the role of academy head coach.

Former Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath has been appointed coaching consultant and will work with players across all age categories, from junior teams through to the senior squad. The former England international has been employed as a player mentor for the past year.

Moxon said: "Ian, Richard and Anthony are all first-class in their respective areas. More importantly, they have the best interests of Yorkshire cricket and have been central to our growth over the past few years."