Surrey have confirmed the signing of Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara for the 2015 season.

The 37-year-old, who is currently recognised as the world's number one Test batsman, will be available for the majority of the campaign, although exact dates have yet to be confirmed.

Having announced his intention to retire from one-day internationals at the end of this year's World Cup, Sangakkara will make his return to England following previous spells at Warwickshire and Durham.

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart said: "We're delighted that Kumar has agreed to join us. He is the number one Test batsman in the world but it's the special character that he has which is as important to us.

"He is a five-star player and five-star person and that is important because he will be working with our young homegrown players as they become serious cricketers at this level.

"He has worked a lot with our coach Graham Ford, when he was in charge of Sri Lanka, and we are both very happy to reach this stage."

Sangakkara is the fourth-highest ODI run-scorer, with 13,414 to his name.