Son of Durham's title-winning hero follows in famous footsteps at Chester-le-Street

Charlie Harmison, the 18-year-old son of 2005 Ashes winner Steve Harmison, has signed his first professional contract with Durham — a two-year rookie deal that plants another branch of England's celebrated 2005 squad into the county game.

Like his father before him, the young Harmison is a fast bowler, and he has already been capped by England up to Under-19 level. He becomes the fourth son of members of the side that reclaimed the Ashes urn after an 18-year wait to put pen to paper on professional terms with a County Championship club.

Captain Michael Vaughan's son Archie is with Somerset, while all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's sons Rocky and Corey are at Lancashire and Kent respectively — underlining how the next generation of that iconic England team is now filtering through the county system.

'Buzzing' to be a pro

Harmison was unequivocal about his delight at the milestone. “I'm buzzing to have signed my first rookie deal,” he told the club website. “I'm looking forward to the hard work that lies ahead and hopefully contributing to helping the club to success in years to come.”

A family legacy at the Riverside

The senior Harmison was a cornerstone of Durham's golden era, part of the side that won the County Championship title in 2008 and 2009 before he retired in 2013. The Chester-le-Street club were promoted back to the top flight this season after winning the Division Two title — they were crowned Division Two champions on 13 September 2026 following a 93-run victory over Middlesex.

The youngster joins a Durham squad refreshed by that promotion, and he will not be alone among the club's emerging talent. Wicketkeeper-batter Robbie Bowman, 19, and batter Luke Symington, 18, have also signed rookie deals, giving the north-east county a clutch of youthful prospects to build around as they return to Division One.