HIGHLY-RATED batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore wants to leave Worcestershire at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old told the County yesterday of his plans to quit New Road to sign for top-flight giants Yorkshire.

The former Malvern College pupil is expected to be dropped for tomorrow's Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at Sussex (11am).

Hard-hitting Kohler-Cadmore is out of contract at the end of the campaign and Worcestershire are understood to have offered him a new contract.

But Kohler-Cadmore has agreed a deal with Yorkshire, where he cut his cricketing teeth.

He initially developed through the Yorkshire age-group system and is believed to have been the subject of a 28-day approach from the Headingley outfit.

In a statement, Worcestershire today said: “Worcestershire County Cricket Club can confirm Tom Kohler-Cadmore communicated his position regarding his desire to leave the club at the end of the 2017 season.

“Further discussions will take place between the player, his representative and the club over the next seven days.”

And Yorkshire said: “Yorkshire can confirm that Tom Kohler-Cadmore has agreed to join the club for the 2018 season and beyond. The club will provide further details once the deal is finalised.”

The news of Kohler-Cadmore’s intention to leave Worcestershire will be a major blow for the County’s Yorkshire-born director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

Worcestershire are third in Division Two after four successive wins and their best start to a Championship season since 1964.

Worcestershire have also been buoyant in the Royal London One-Day Cup and host Yorkshire Vikings or Surrey on June 17 after reaching their first semi-final in 13 years.

In May, Kohler-Cadmore struck 118 against Yorkshire as Worcestershire sealed a 59-run win in a high-scoring North Group match at New Road.

Chatham-born Kohler-Cadmore averages 31.48 in 37 first-class matches for Worcestershire, with four hundreds and nine half-centuries.

His List A average is 27.23 from 31 matches including two centuries and two half-centuries.

Last September, playing club cricket for Himley, he Kohler-Cadmore blazed six sixes in an over as he raced to 103 from 38 balls against Smethwick in the Birmingham League Premier Division.

The batsman has aspirations to represent England and is an important player for Worcestershire after progressing through their academy.

An outstanding schoolboy player, Kohler-Cadmore won a cricket scholarship to Malvern College and amassed 1,409 runs at an average in excess of 100 in his final year.

He subsequently won the 2014 Young Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year.

He hit the fastest century of the last season, off 43 balls, against Durham Jets in May, going on to reach 127 from 54 balls, as he made Worcestershire's highest-ever individual T20 score.

The batsman’s maiden first-class century came in the final game of the 2015 season against Middlesex at New Road as he added 229 with Tom Fell.

His father, Mick Cadmore, is the dressing room attendant at New Road.

Reflecting on last season, the 22-year-old admitted it had been “all or nothing” when he was at the crease.

"I had four hundreds and then I finished with the season with four noughts," he said.

“I was either on fire or not in the team and it was quite frustrating for me.

“The one thing I really want to do this summer is to improve my consistency.”