Andy Carroll has made a sensational deadline-day return to Newcastle United on an incentivised pay deal.
Sportsmail reports that a one-year deal has been agreed with a low basic wage and incentives to play.
The club's doctor and physios met with Carroll hours before the 5pm deadline to complete all mandatory medical checks with the free agent.
Carroll had been a free agent since his release from West Ham at the end of last season but was desperate to sign for his hometown club when the opportunity arose.
The striker had ankle surgery in April and is not yet ready for first-team action, although he could make his debut before the end of August.
Steve Bruce is a big fan of the 30-year-old and his signing will be hugely popular among supporters.
Carroll came through the Newcastle academy and made his debut in 2006 before signing for Liverpool for a British record £35million in 2011.
He scored 33 times from 91 appearances for the Magpies and made his England debut just two months before his move to Anfield.
reasonable
62
What is it with Mike Ashley and his zero hours contracts :-/