Mumbai, Feb 27 (IANS): Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians Monday signed T20 sensation Richard Levi of South Africa for the forthcoming fifth edition, replacing Australia's Andrew Symonds as a foreign player.

The 24-year-old powerful opener Richard Levi, who blasted himself into the record books with the fastest T20 international century against New Zealand last week, will make his maiden appearance in the cash-rich event and will be available for the full season.

Expressing eagerness to join the likes of Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh in the team, Levi said: "I am honoured to have Mumbai Indians management interest in my services. Sachin Tendulkar has been my childhood hero and it would be exciting to share the dressing room with him."

Levi broke Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum's record of the fastest century in Hamilton, New Zealand, smashing an unbeaten 117 off 67 balls. He got to three figures in 45 balls.