Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas has signed a two-year contract to become a full-time football pundit with the BBC.

The 31-year-old has recently appeared on Match of the Day and Football Focus and will now be a more regular feature on television, radio and online platforms.

"I am delighted to be joining the BBC football team on a long-term basis and to appear on programmes I have grown up watching as a boy," Jenas said in a statement.

Mark Cole, the BBC's lead executive for football, added: "Jermaine has really impressed in his recent studio appearances and we're delighted to have him as part of the BBC football team, across all our platforms.

"We have placed an extra emphasis on involving studio guests who are close to the game and we hope Jermaine will continue to offer his fresh insight, analysis and expertise across our output."

Jenas has been without a club since leaving Queens Park Rangers in the summer. He began his career at Nottingham Forest and had his most successful spells at Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

He earned 21 caps for England after debuting in 2003, but saw a once-fledgling career hampered by injury.