He started playing professional rugby in 2001 at Sale Sharks, which he chose to do in preference to a career in teaching. In 2002 Dickens joined Leeds Tykes, with whom he won the Powergen Cup in 2005 and where he was instrumental in helping the team avoid relegation that same year.

Dickens has been at Vicarage Road for the last three years and made 46 appearances.

“Alan is an impressive player who will bring plenty of good qualities to our squad,” said Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder. “He has plenty of experience in successful teams, strong leadership qualities and a good all-round game. We will need all of those next year in the Premiership and I’m looking forward to welcoming Alan to Franklin’s Gardens.”

“I worked with Jim Mallinder at Sale in my first year as a professional rugby player,” said Dickens. “I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to working with him again. Rugby aside it was my Dad’s club and my Granddad’s club and they will both have been proud to pull on the Northampton jersey. It’s a great rugby club which I’ve always looked forward to going to.”

Dickens is the third scrum-half to have been signed by the Saints and he is prepared for some stiff competition for the number nine jersey next season.

“Wherever you go you have to back yourself, especially in a position like scrum-half,” he said. “I’ll be looking forward to the competition.”

Meanwhile the Saints also announced that Johnny Howard has left the club this week for French club Bayonne.

The 27-year-old scrum-half made 114 appearances during his decade in the first team squad. His last match was Saturday’s EDF Energy National Trophy match against Exeter Chiefs and he today thanked the club and its supporters,

“The Saints have been a major part of my life for a long time,” said Howard. “I have a lot of great memories of the club and its supporters which I will take with me. It was an honour to play my hundredth game this season and having my last game for the club be at Twickenham was superb. Lifting the National Trophy is a memory that will stay with me forever.

“A great opportunity has arisen in France to play for Bayonne and it is a challenge I am relishing. The Top 14 is a tough league to play in and I’m hungry to prove myself in a new environment.

“I’d like to wish the Saints all the best in the Premiership next season.”

“Johnny has been a key part of our squad this season,” said Mallinder. “He has played well in helping the club achieve promotion and has been a good servant over the past few years. I wish him well for the future.”