Kevin Pietersen signed a contract yesterday to return to Surrey this summer.

The move gives the record-breaking batsman the opportunity to press for an England recall, after being sacked in February 2014 following the Ashes washout defeat in Australia.

Pietersen cleared the way for a return to The Oval by agreeing a release from the majority of his Indian Premier League contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad — which clashed with the start of the English domestic season — and he will be available for Surrey’s first County Championship match against Glamorgan in Cardiff on April 19.

Encouraged by new England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves’s indication that he may be back in the mix if he can impress again in county cricket, the 34-year-old Pietersen has two months to do that if he is to achieve his dream of a Test recall in time for this summer’s Ashes rematch.

Pietersen told Surrey’s website: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be back at Surrey.

“It’s a club very close to my heart — and (director of cricket) Alec Stewart, (coach) Graham Ford and everyone at the club has been exceptionally supportive.

“There is a fantastic group of lads here and I hope we can deliver what the great Surrey fans want to see — lots of runs and comprehensive victories.”

Stewart added: “A Kevin Pietersen with ambitions to play for England and a real determination to score big runs for Surrey will be a huge asset to us.”

The money Pietersen earns from Surrey will be sent to the Kevin Pietersen Foundation — set up to help under-privileged children achieve and prosper.

Pietersen has been tempted back into county cricket by the possibility — revealed by incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves at the start of this month — that it could provide a pathway for him to return to the Test match arena after his sacking in the aftermath of the 2013/14 Ashes whitewash defeat.

Pietersen said: “I always said this was not about money, and I will be donating my full Surrey wage to my foundation.”

He emphasised too that, once Graves hinted that his international career might not definitely be over after all, he felt he simply had to try.

Pietersen is confident he can work again with both England Test captain Alastair Cook and returning coach Peter Moores.

“Even if this does not work out and I do not get back in the England team, I will at least end my career knowing I gave it another shot,” he added.