Panesar joins Essex on loan after being released by Sussex following 'drunken nightclub antics'

England spinner Monty Panesar has joined Essex on loan after Sussex released him following a nightclub incident.

According to the Mirror, the left arm spinner has paid the ultimate price for his urinating antics over bouncers at a Brighton nightclub by having the final two years of his contract with the seaside club terminated.

After making it clear that he had no future in the team this season, Sussex have allowed the England spinner to feature elsewhere, albeit in Division two of the Championship and away from competing with them, the report said.

Panesar will play his first match for his new county today against another of his former counties, Northamptonshire, the report added.

By moving to Essex, he will be that much closer to his family and friends support network in Luton and it will give him the new start he needs to get his career back on track, the report further said.

Panesar is keen to get back to success in the game after being snubbed by England for the fifth Test squad at the Oval, according to the report.

The player said that he was grateful to Sussex for allowing him to be released from his contract for 2014 and 2015 in order to explore other opportunities to further develop his cricket.