MIDDLESEX County Cricket Club have revealed they have failed in their attempt to sign Indian star Sachin Tendulkar.

The club had hoped to lure the talented cricketer to England for the 2010 season but despite “early optimism” the move fell through.

Middlesex were forced to admit last November that they were in talks with Tendulkar after details of a proposed move was leaked to the press.

At time the club were confident Tendulkar would join them and become their second major addition following the signing of Australian Adam Gilchrist.

“We are all naturally extremely disappointed that Sachin has reached the decision not to join us this year, as without doubt, his presence within the Middlesex ranks alongside Adam Gilchrist would have been a major coup for the Club,” Middlesex Chief Executive Vinny Codrington said.

“When the news initially broke that we were is negotiations with Sachin, it quite rightly created major headlines in all the sports pages, and it’s a real shame we have been unable to reach a satisfactory outcome to our discussions with him.”

He added Tendulkar opted against the move because he wanted to “concentrate his efforts on prolonging his international career at the top of world cricket.”

“Sachin was very open and honest with us when advising us of his decision and went to lengths to express how much consideration he had given to the opportunity and how flattered he was that a club like Middlesex were so keen to have him on board,” Codrington said.