DOM Bess is convinced he is joining a club going places after signing a four-year contract with Yorkshire.

Bess, 23, has opted to leave Somerset at the end of the season.

The Devonian makes a permanent return to the county where he had two separate loan spells last summer, playing 10 games in the County Championship and Vitality Blast for the White Rose.

“This club is massively on the up,” said the England off-spinner.

“I wouldn’t be signing with a club if they didn’t have big ambitions.

“It’s a big county with a big reputation, which I never think you should see as a pressure. You should see that as a great opportunity.

“I see this as a great challenge, and I think it can only go one way when you look at the players we’ve got.”

Bess admitted he absolutely loved his time at Emerald Headingley last season, saying: “The great thing about what that time showed me was that I can go to a completely different environment, a big club, at 22 years old and fit in and perform.

“Also, I was very comfortable in that environment and wasn’t afraid to say things. That’s testament to the club.

“It showed it’s the right place for me.

“I know what to expect from the coaches and what to expect in terms of being challenged.

“That time with the club gave me the confidence to keep growing.

“In 10-15 years, hopefully when we’ve had a very successful time, I’ll look back and think, ‘Wow, in those six weeks, everything was aligning right for me to come here’.”

A player with 10 Test Match caps to his name - he was an ever-present across this summer’s six games against the West Indies and Pakistan - Bess is a hugely ambitious and driven individual.

That is indicated by the decision to uproot his life from the South West this coming October and also his desire to play all three formats of international cricket for England.

“Growing up at a club and with these lads who are my best mates, leaving something like that is really tough,” he explained.

“Tom Abell, the club captain, is one of my best mates. I had a lot of phone calls with him, Jason Kerr (coach), my agent and family.

“With that, I was trying to concentrate on playing for England and produce results. For me, I tried to not focus a lot on it and then, when I had breaks in between Tests, I sat down and really thought about it.”

Bess’s career, which stands on the verge of 150 first-class wickets, has not been without its challenges, chiefly being stuck behind Jack Leach in the Somerset pecking order for first-class cricket and behind Max Waller and Roelof van der Merwe in the limited overs formats.

“With Leachy and Max there, Roelof as well, it’s such a strong squad in terms of spinners,” he continued.

“That’s probably a reason as to why I’ve got to where I am. But to nail down an international spot, I have to give myself the opportunity to play all season.

“England backing me in all six Tests this summer shows that I’ve got to be playing. I can’t go back to Somerset and not be playing.

“In terms of how this summer’s gone, it almost sped the decision up.

“I’d kick myself if I was still sat in the second team at Somerset in three years and I’d had this opportunity. I can’t wait now.”

Bess, who will be available to Somerset for the rest of the 2020 campaign, has only played in 23 limited overs matches in his entire career. Six of those have been for Yorkshire and only four for the Taunton based county.

“It’s a non-negotiable,” he said. “I’m trying to play all three formats for England.

“At Somerset, I don’t feel I’ve had the opportunity to show my white ball skills.

“I had a chance at Yorkshire to show that a little bit.

“Hopefully I get more opportunities to win games for Yorkshire, develop and push for England spots. This opportunity is fantastic.

“I know the history and tradition behind the club, and it’s a great option for me.

“Also, I’m joining a very strong squad which can hopefully win Championships and white ball competitions.”

As Bess mentioned earlier, he had many conversations about swapping Somerset for Yorkshire, including with England Test captain Joe Root.

Bess said: “With Rooty, the day I made the decision I went to see him to chat. I didn’t say I was definitely joining, I just wanted to get a vibe of what he thought.

“As England captain and a player at Yorkshire, he didn’t want to be seen as too involved in it.

“He just saw me as a genuine mate, and he said, ‘You’ve got to look at your opportunities’.

“That just backed up where my head was and what I wanted for my cricket.

“When you leave your home county, you have to take the emotional side out of it, and I think I did that really well. When I chatted to Rooty, it just reinforced that I am making the right decision.”

Bess also spoke at length to Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale and director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

The latter added: “We are thrilled Dom will be joining us on a permanent deal.

“Dom showed his quality and potential this year with England and made a huge impression at Yorkshire during his loan spell last season.

“The signing of Dom will bolster our spin options, but it also gives us more batting depth down the order.

“Dom will be a key asset to the club across all formats and will add further strength to the young and exciting squad that is being assembled.”