Essex Cricket Club chief executive Derek Bowden has insisted the club had no concerns over signing Monty Panesar, despite his recent troubles.

England spinner Panesar was fined by police last week after he was investigated for urinating on nightclub bouncers, in Brighton.

Panesar was consequently released by Sussex and issued a statement apologising for letting down the county, along with his team-mates and their supporters.

The 31-year-old will now spend the rest of the season on loan at Essex, after making his old club Northants at Castle Park yesterday.

Bowden said: “If we can help Monty get over his recent troubles, then fantastic.

“We didn’t really have any concerns about signing him.

“There are a number of folk on the coaching staff that know him.

“What’s happened has been well documented and he’s paid the price.

“But a genius is someone who makes the same mistake once.

“It was an ideal opportunity that we really couldn’t turn down and we’re excited to have Monty at Essex.

“I spoke to Sussex at the end of last week to find about the situation.

“They said they were talking to the player and they wouldn’t be able to make a decision until the start of this week.

“They came to an arrangement with the player and now we’ve managed to get him on loan.”

Bowden added that Panesar could sign for Essex on a permanent basis for next season - if things work out for both parties over the coming weeks.

He said: “It’s too early to say at the moment but it’s a possibility.

“Monty’s got six County Championship games to play in and we’ll see if he likes us and vice-versa.

“He’s someone that the younger lads can learn from.

“We needed a spin bowler at this time of the season, with Tom Craddock unfortunately on compassionate leave at the moment.”