The Dutch international made a big impact when he played for Canterbury two seasons ago and Otago coach Vaughn Johnson is hopeful the 32-year-old can recapture that magic in the blue and gold this summer.
"We just felt we needed a lift with losing [Craig] Cumming and wanted to stock up in terms of a quality player at the top of the innings," Johnson said.
"He is a proven performer in twenty/20 cricket. He has been on our radar for the last couple of months and has decided he would like to come out."
The 2010 ICC associate and affiliate player of the year played nine twenty/20 games for Canterbury in 2010-11 and was named tournament MVP. He was the second-highest scorer with 284 runs at 40.47 and the fifth-highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps at 17.66.
He had a good day for the red and blacks against Otago in Christchurch, taking two for 29 and helping his side chase down the Volts' tally of 168 for seven with a superb unbeaten innings of 45 from 25 deliveries.
Ten Doeschate played with Brendon McCullum at the Kolkata Knight Riders and McCullum mentioned him to Vaughn as a possibility for this season.
"Once Ryan's name came up, we got on to him. He will bat in the top four for us and he'll bowl some medium pacers through the middle.
"We've had good service from Dimi [Dimitri Mascarenhas] the past few years but we've just decided we need a different skill set with not having Cumming."
Ten Doeschate boasts an impressive first-class record. In 99 games, he has scored 5863 runs at an average of 46.90, including 18 centuries.
His international record is even more impressive, although he has benefited from playing against some of the lesser nations.
"He can certainly play and he is highly respected among his peers in terms of international cricket.
"He is pretty excited about coming out and adding something to the Volts' set-up."
Ten Doeschate said he was excited about returning to New Zealand.
"I really enjoyed the HRV Cup and the conditions that I encountered when I was last there a couple of years ago and can't wait to come back," he said.
"Otago has a strong side for this season and I am looking forward to getting over there and making a contribution."
Ten Doeschate will arrive in Dunedin in mid-December, missing Otago's opening two games in the tournament.
Profile
Ryan ten Doeschate
• 32-year-old all-rounder
• Born in Port Elizabeth but of Dutch descent
• Major teams include the Netherlands, Essex, Canterbury and now Otago
• One-day Internationals: 33 games, 1541 runs at 67, 55 wickets at 24.12
• Twenty/20 Internationals: 9 games, 214 runs at 42.80, 12 wickets at 20.08
• First-class: 99 games, 5863 runs at 46.90, 173 wickets at 33.87
