Former Zimbabwe international Andy Blignaut has joined Tasmania on a three-year contract.

Blignaut, a talented 25-year-old all-rounder who has found himself embroiled in the 'rebel 15' movement after being sacked by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, joins the Tigers as a replacement for Australian one-day allrounder Shane Watson, who has moved back home to Queensland.

“The Australian domestic competition is the strongest in the world and I am confident that I can compete and add to the strength of the Tigers’ line-up.," he said.

“It represents a new challenge for me. I am looking forward to playing with Ricky Ponting (when available), Dan Marsh and the other Tigers and I am determined to give it my all.”

He will become the fourth former Zimbabwean international to play domestic cricket in Australia after Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower and Sean Ervine, who will play his first season with Western Australia this year.

Blignaut was one of 15 white players to object when Zimbabwe skipper Heath Streak was stood down earlier this year, which precipitated a fall out with the ZCU, which is yet to be resolved