



Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of former striker Andrew Johnson on a free transfer.





The 33-year-old striker was a free agent after being released by Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season, and has put pen to paper on a short-term Palace contract until January to help bolster Neil Warnock's attacking options.





Neil told the official website, "I am delighted to be bringing in a player with Andrew's experience and first and foremost he is here to score goals and I am sure he will get a chance to do that.





"I have also invited him to get involved with coaching our strikers and I am pleased to say he has accepted that and is really looking forward to returning to a club he has a special affection for."





Andrew has been included in the club's 25-man Premier League squad, and spoke to cpfc.co.uk just after signing.





He said: "I am delighted to be coming back to a club that I love and have a real soft spot for. I would like to thank the gaffer and the chairman for giving me this opportunity and I am looking forward to helping this football club have continued success in the Premier League.





“I have also been given an opportunity to help the youngsters in a coaching capacity, something I am really looking forward to getting involved in.”





Johnson's first spell at Selhurst Park came between 2002 and 2006 where he achieved huge popularity with the Eagles faithful, banging in 85 goals in 160 games to help the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2003/04.





He then finished the following campaign as the league's highest scoring English striker which earned him a call-up to the national team under Sven Goran Eriksson, and went on to win eight caps for his country.





He began his career at Birmingham City and made his professional debut in the 1998/99 season. Having made over a century of appearances for the Blues, he joined Palace in 2002 as part of the deal that saw Clinton Morrison depart SE25.





After four glorious years at Palace, which also saw him voted into the club's Centenary Best XI, he departed to Everton for £8.5 million and then later had spells at Fulham and QPR.





He has made over 450 appearances in total, and is one goal shy of 150 in his club career.