Whiteley, 35, won the T20 Blast title with Worcestershire (in 2018) and Hampshire (2022), and also helped Southern Brave lift the Hundred trophy in their inaugural season. He becomes Derbyshire’s fifth domestic signing of the off-season, following the arrivals of Pat Brown, David Lloyd, Aneurin Donald and Samit Patel.
“Our winter recruitment has been about bringing a winning mentality to Derbyshire, and Ross absolutely fits that criteria,” said Derbyshire head of cricket Mickey Arthur. “He is a player used to competing for trophies, he knows what it takes to compete in the Second Division and win white ball honors.
“Ross is the type of player you want in those moments of pressure, he is able to hold his nerve and change the game, he will give us another bowling option and he will give us a lot in terms of fielding.”
Whiteley excelled at Derbyshire and helped the club win the Division Two title in 2012, before moving to Worcestershire a year later. In 2017, he became the second man to score six sixes in an over in county cricket, when he did so for Worcestershire against Yorkshire in the Blast. He joined Hampshire on a three-year deal following the 2021 season.
Although he has only sporadically played first-class cricket in recent years, he is expected to be available in all three Derbyshire formats.
Whiteley said: “Derbyshire is where I started my career and I’m excited to have the opportunity to return at this stage of my career, with everything Mickey is trying to achieve with the club.
“Having been involved in the last trophy Derbyshire won, I know how much it means to the fans here, so I hope that with the experience I have gained over the years I can help win more trophies in the coming years. this great club.
“Along with the exciting talent and experience we already have in this dressing room, the winter recruitment shows the ambitions Derbyshire have to take this club forward and I am very excited to be part of that. Having left Derbyshire when I was just over 20 years, I feel like I have unfinished business here and I want to bring success back to the county.”