The 35-year-old Indian will be eligible for selection in home matches against Middlesex and Hampshire, as well as the end of season trip to Northamptonshire.
“I am really pleased to join Essex and make what I hope will be some valuable contributions to the team’s success this year,” Umesh was quoted as saying by Essex, in a media release.
“I enjoyed playing in England with Middlesex last season, and it will be good to return and test myself in those conditions again, especially in the midst of a title race,” he added.
Yadav has played 57 Test matches for India alongside 75 ODIs and nine T20Is, during which he has taken a combined 288 wickets.
He made his Test debut in a five-wicket victory over the West Indies in Delhi in November 2011, with his most recent appearance in the format coming in June’s World Test Championship Final against Australia at the Oval.
Domestically, Yadav has represented Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy and Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy at first-class level in his homeland, and possesses an overall red-ball bowling average of 29.49.
“Umesh is a superb signing for us, and we all know what he will be able to bring to our attack at a crucial time of the season,” said Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath.
“He is vastly experienced and has taken wickets at the top levels of the game for more than a decade now, so as well as contributing during our run-in, we hope he can pass on some of his wisdom to our young players too,” he added.
