GLOUCESTERSHIRE have signed Ireland World Cup star Kevin O’Brien on a contract until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old all-rounder wrote his name into cricketing folklore with the fastest ever century scored at a World Cup when he reached three figures in 50 balls to help his country to a famous win over England in India in March.

O’Brien will join the squad later this week and it is anticipated he will be available for selection for the Clyedesdale Bank 40 match against Glamorgan on Sunday.

Gloucestershire director of cricket,John Bracewell said: “We are delighted to have signed Kevin O’Brien to our squad with particular reference to his one-day skills. “Given his heroics in the World Cup the Gladiators have a genuine lion slayer in their midst.”

O’Brien made his one-day international debut in 2006 in Ireland's inaugural match and his Twenty20 international debut in 2008.

He has played in 58 one-day international matches with a batting average of 34.86 and a highest score of 142, while he has also taken 47 wickets.

O’Brien is looking forward to playing under Bracewell and alongside Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who joins Gloucestershire for their T20 campaign next month.

He said: ''I am very excited to have the opportunity to play for Gloucestershire and work under one of the most successful coaches in domestic one day history.

“I am looking forward to getting over there and hopefully helping the team to achieve its goals in all forms of the game, but especially T20 and one-day cricket.

“Hopefully I can have a great season, help Gloucestershire win trophies and improve my game even further.

“It is going to be an honour to play with Murali, and hopefully I can learn from guys who have performed so consistently in domestic cricket for many years.''

O’Brien played for Nottinghamshire in 2009, and in 2010 was awarded a contract with Cricket Ireland, making him one of six players with a full-time contract with the board.

An aggressive right-handed middle to lower order batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler, he has played in 18 first class games with an average of 32.3 and a top score of 171 not out.

O’Brien’s arrival will be a timely boost with batsman Hamish Marshall joining Chris Dent on the sidelines after fracturing his thumb in the County Championship draw against Middlesex last week.

Chris Taylor suffered a swollen knee while making 117 in Gloucestershire’s first innings total of 358 in that game and had to bat with a runner as Gloucestershire made 347 in their second innings, setting Middlesex 300 to win.

After a rain interrupted final day, the league leaders finished on 123-4 with Jon Lewis taking 3-35 to add to his 5-65 in Middlesex’s first innings total of 406.

Gloucestershire were beaten comprehensively by local rivals Somerset at Taunton in the CB40 on Sunday.

Captain Alex Gidman scored 66 to help his side reach 213 but England international Craig Kieswetter struck 108 not out to give the hosts victory with eight wickets and six overs to spare.