The Wellington Firebirds announced yesterday they had secured the former Black Cap’s services for the 2018-19 season.
Neesham cited the chance to revitalise his career and push for Black Caps selection as his main motivation for the move.
"I was getting, possibly, a little bit stale in Dunedin , obviously being there for so long," he said.
"I was getting quite comfortable and one thing that has stuck with me during my career is that I have always performed my best with taking up new challenges."
Neesham disappointed with bat and ball for Otago in all three formats this season and was dropped from the side during its disastrous twenty20 campaign.
He admits losing his New Zealand Cricket contract and his place in the national side weighed heavily on his form during the past season.
"I think that is one of the things that contributed to the poor start to last season ... I sort of let it, I guess, consume me a little bit.
"That is one lesson I took out of the second part of the season ... learning to let go a little bit and enjoy the game and the results will come after that."That is certainly the attitude I will be taking to the start of my career in Wellington."
The Basin Reserve, where Neesham scored a century on test debut and partnered Brendon McCullum as he reached 302 against India in 2014, is set to become the all-rounder’s new home ground.
"I am really excited about the possibility of getting back to my best and working under a coach like Bruce Edgar, who has shown a lot of faith in me in the past," he said.
Neesham made an immediate impact on the Volts when arriving in Dunedin for the 2011-12 season, after two seasons with Auckland and his impressive form quickly propelled him into the Black Caps.
The camaraderie in the tight-knit Otago playing group and its 2011 World Twenty20 Champions’ League tilt were among Neesham’s fondest memories of the provincial side.
"When you spend seven years with an association and in a city you have a lot of good times."
"The highlight would certainly be the Champions league run; that wouldn’t be surprising to anyone."
Neesham’s departure adds to the exodus of senior players from Otago Cricket.Neesham joins Neil Wagner and Derek de Boorder, who will not line up for the Volts next season. Neil Broom will be another absentee, but only from four-day matches.
