Sky Bet Championship side Burnley have confirmed the signing of free-agent midfielder Joey Barton on a one-year deal.

The 32-year-old was a free agent following his release from QPR at the end of last season when they were relegated, alongside the Clarets, out of the Barclays Premier League.

One-time England cap Barton was linked with West Ham but recently revealed he was not joining the Hammers and has opted for a move back to the north west instead.

"I'm delighted that we have Joey on board," said Clarets boss Sean Dyche.

"He was very respectful when speaking about our club at the end of last season and during the summer.

"We had many conversations and he made it clear he was very interested in what we are about and that coming here was something he would consider.

"He is player who is in demand and who others think highly of. I know there is other stuff to his life and character, but on the pitch I think everyone speaks well of him and he is certainly someone who I think can get the culture and the understanding of what we do here."

Barton has provided a slew of controversial moments throughout his career - from assaulting then-Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo in 2007 to clashing with two City players on the field five years later, earning a 12-match suspension from the Football Association.

On his second-to-last trip to his new home Turf Moor he was struck by a coke bottle that had been thrown from the crowd when playing for QPR.

However, Barton revealed how a chat with Dyche had convinced him he wanted to join the ex-Watford boss' ranks.

"We spoke at length about football over lunch yesterday," he said in a quote published on Burnley's official website.

"I knew as soon as I left his house that I wanted to play for Burnley. He's the most impressive guy I've sat in front of for a long, long time."

Barton added on his own Twitter account: "Delighted to have signed for @BurnleyOfficial A football environment I cannot wait to be a part.

"Looking forward to getting amongst it again. Tremendous group of people at the club with ambition to be back in the PL. Can't wait."

Burnley fans welcomed their new recruit on social media by telling him they would reserve a space on an open-top bus parade if they were promoted at the end of the campaign.

When the Clarets were last elevated to the top flight in 2014, Barton 'joked' with several supporters on Twitter over their celebrations in east Lancashire.