Worcestershire Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes says the signing of Mitchell Santner will "in no way" stifle the progress at New Road of young spinner Ben Twohig.
Former Malvern College pupil Twohig is regarded as one of Worcestershire's brightest prospects.
The former Academy product broke into the Second Eleven last season and earned a two year professional contact with the County.
Twohig is also part of the England Development Programme and is on stand-by for the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
New Zealand spinner Santner has been signed as overseas player for the NatWest T20 Blast and will share the slow bowling duties in that format with Brett D'Oliveira.
Rhodes said: "I want to make the point that this (the signing of Santner) is in no way stifling the progress for Ben Twohig.
"He has got an apprenticeship to do and we are very excited by his prospects.
"Who knows, he may play some cricket this year in our first team.
"But where we are, where we see things, you've got to walk before you can run and he is definitely our long term future regarding our spin bowling.
"He is well thought of, with the England Developments squads as well, he is a guy we are very hopeful of big things."