Fiorentina have announced that they have re-signed Alberto Gilardino from Guangzhou Evergrande on loan until the end of the season, with an option to make the move permanent.

The 32-year-old striker moved to Guangzhou from Genoa in July, but he has now returned to Serie A after just five months in China.

Gilardino previously played for Fiorentina between 2008 and 2012, scoring 59 goals in 143 appearances.

"Today's a big day for me, coming back to Florence," he told the club's official website. "I'm really happy to be here. It's great to be back and I'm raring to go.

"I want to prove myself in Serie A again after five months away. I'm really up for it and I feel good physically.

"I think the objective is to get back up among the very best so that we can be involved in the Champions League."

Gilardino won the 2014 Chinese Super League during his spell with Guangzhou.