Pietersen signs one-year Surrey deal

Kevin Pietersen has signed a one-year deal with Surrey having had a loan spell with the club at the end of the last season after being dropped by England.

Speculation about Pietersen's county future had been rife after he parted ways with Hampshire in the middle of last summer, having not played a first-class game at the Rose Bowl since breaking into the England Test team in 2005. He declared his intention to leave in the middle of 2010, saying he wanted to play for a team closer to his London home.

Having struggled for form during the summer Pietersen was told by England coach Andy Flower that he must be part of a county set-up to play international cricket so the deal with Surrey will put those concerns to bed.

Pietersen played two Championship games for Surrey at the end of the 2010 season without much success, making 41 runs in three innings although hit a hundred in the CB40, but insists he enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to playing with them next year.

"I'm delighted to be playing for Surrey next season, as I really enjoyed my time with them at the end of this year," said Pietersen. "I hope I can get some games in over the summer and spend time at this great club, meeting more of the staff and supporters. I look forward to catching up with the guys when I get back from the Ashes."

It is a major boost for Surrey, who struggled with the bat last season and recently lost Mark Ramprakash's services for the early season to injury. Paul Sheldon, the Surrey chief executive, hopes Pietersen's role can extend beyond the field to helping the younger players develop.

"It is a real privilege for Surrey to have signed one of England's greatest players," he said. "When Kevin played for us last season, he was a strong positive influence in the dressing room, especially with our younger players.

"Although there is a packed schedule of International cricket in 2011, I know that whatever contribution he can make to the club will be of immense value."