Cape Town - Right-arm fast bowler Dale Steyn will be leaving the Titans with immediate effect according to a statement from the franchise on Friday.
"It is with much sadness that we say farewell to Dale, said chairperson of the board Vincent Sinovich.
"He has been a valuable contributor to the Titans set-up."
Steyn, who moved to Cape Town some 18 months ago, becomes new Cobras coach Richard Pybus's first major signing.
Pybus himself is a former coach of the Titans.
Steyn served eight years at Titans, starting as a promising fast bowler and leaving as the number one ranked fast bowler.
He was educated at Merensky High School in Tzaneen and attended the Limpopo Academy in 2002.
The Northerns Cricket Academy coaches spotted his talent and recruited him to Pretoria. On his arrival late in 2002 he was registered with Eersterust Cricket Club and joined the Northerns Academy at the beginning of 2003.
When he began his career at Northerns, Steyn was popularly known as "Sunshine" or "Phalaborwa Express," where he played a major role in the success of the Titans in recent years.
He leaves the franchise after winning a total of six trophies in the various domestic competitions.
In a distinguished international career, Steyn, who made his Test debut for South Africa in Port Elizabeth in December 2004 against England, has taken 365 first class wickets.
His ODI debut was at Centurion in the Afro-Asia Cup when he represented the African XI against an Asian XI in 2005. He was offered a national contract by Cricket South Africa the same year.
Currently ranked No 1 on the ICC Test Bowler Ranking Steyn was voted the 2008 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year and has received two nominations for the 2010 SA Cricket Awards (SA Cricketer of the Year and CSA Test Cricketer of the Year).
Steyn said his decision to leave the Titans was purely for convenience as he relocated to Cape Town two years ago.
