Kevin Pietersen has signed a contract to return to Surrey this summer and will donate all of his salary to his KP24 foundation . The move gives the record-breaking batsman the opportunity to press for an England recall , after being sacked in February 2014 following the Ashes whitewash 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 ' 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 . Kevin Pietersen will have nine County Championship matches at the most to impress England 's selectors . He 's secured a released from Sunrisers Hyderabad to stake his claim for an England return in the Ashes . Pietersen told Surrey 's website kiaoval.com : ' 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 . ' Pietersen also wrote in his column in the Telegraph : 'When I heard Colin Graves say that I would be considered for selection again if I play county cricket and score runs I realised I had the opportunity for a fresh start . I always said this was not about money and I will be donating my full Surrey wage to my foundation . '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 . I would kick myself for a long time if I walked away now without having a go . ' A lot of people thought I would not be prepared to put in the hard yards and play county cricket but I will do anything to get that England cap back on my head . ' Pietersen will donate his full salary from Surrey to his KP24 foundation . Imminent Surrey signing Pietersen says he will 'do everything in my power to earn a recall ' with England . 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 apparent clinching development in Pietersen 's negotiations to rejoin the club which de-registered him at the end of last season was the Sunrisers ' willingness to release him from the majority of his contract . Pietersen would have been in India for more than seven weeks - and Surrey , for whom he played only Twenty20 cricket last summer , did not appear immediately keen to secure his services again unless they knew his availability would be more comprehensive this time . The controversial South Africa-born batsman 's ambition to play for England again may not depend entirely on him demonstrating form and fitness . But irrespective of mixed messages from the ECB , that is where he must start . He was described by ECB managing director Paul Downton as 'disengaged ' during England 's heavy defeat in Sydney almost 15 months ago - his last Test to date , in which the Ashes whitewash was completed . Pietersen was axed by England following their 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia last winter . Pietersen in action for Surrey in the Natwest T20 Blast last summer . Pietersen started the year by playing more short form cricket for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash . Weeks later , Pietersen was sacked - in a meeting attended by Downton and also Test captain Alastair Cook . Downton , Cook , national selector James Whitaker and returning coach Peter Moores - contrary to the tone of Graves ' remarks - have all reiterated , in their different forms of words , that Pietersen remains firmly on the outside as far as they are concerned . England embark on a three-Test tour to West Indies , without Pietersen of course , early next month - and have already been left in no doubt by Graves , set to begin his tenure officially in May , that victory over what he describes as 'mediocre ' opponents is non-negotiable . While they are busy with their Caribbean mission , Pietersen has his chance to impress and make headlines on home soil - and therefore put his name back in the mix in time for the start of the Ashes in July .
Kevin Pietersen signs with Surrey for England . He will have nine games to impress the County Championship selectors before the Ashes . Pietersen negotiated a released from Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL . The 34-year-old will donate his full Surrey salary to his foundation . Pietersen was axed by the County Championship in February 2014 following Ashes debacle .