Kevin Pietersen signs for Surrey

Pietersen confirmed that he has re-joined Surrey in time for the start of the county cricket season after agreeing an early termination of his IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The 34-year-old, who won 104 test and 136 one-day caps, was sacked by England in February 2014 after England's 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia but incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves suggested this month he could be recalled if he "scores a lot of runs" for a county.

Pietersen said his agreement with Hyderabad allows him to miss the IPL's league fixtures, though he could still be recalled should the team reach the knockout stages of the competition.

The IPL starts on April 8, while Surrey's first match in the county season is against Glamorgan on April 19.

The IPL knockout stages commence on May 19 and the final taking place on May 24 - meaning Pietersen would miss four-day matches against Northamptonshire and Kent if he were to be called back by Hyderabad.

"I'm hugely grateful for all the support and understanding I've received from everyone at the Sunrisers and the IPL," Pietersen said in a statement.

"My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England and I'm absolutely determined to score as many runs as possible.

"I've never made any secret of my overwhelming desire to once again represent England and I'm going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up.

"To once again put on that England shirt would be a privilege and an honour but now I have to focus on performing domestically and give myself the best possible chance of meriting selection."

Pietersen parted company with Surrey last September because of his IPL and Caribbean Premier League commitments.