Former Newcastle star Dwight Gayle, 34, returns to football with new club after playing friendlies for free agent XI

PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero Dwight Gayle has joined Hibernian on a one-year deal.

The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Derby at the end of last season.

He has kept fit over the summer by playing for a PFA side dubbed "unemployed XI".

The players association invited several free agents to train together and feature in friendlies as a team.

Gayle starred alongside Ravel Morrison and Carl Jenkinson in the side.

And the matches have helped convince Scottish outfit Hibs to hand him a contract.

Manager David Gray said: "It’s great to be able to bring Dwight to the club.

"He’s performed at a top-level throughout his career and has a real desire to show his abilities here in Scotland.

"He’s a different type of striker to what we currently have in the building.

"He’s a real penalty box type of striker, a great finisher, and his experience will be of great benefit to us."

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Gayle joined Crystal Palace in 2013 and scored 25 goals in 74 appearances for the club.

His time at Selhurst Park is best remembered by the two goals he netted to cost Liverpool the title in 2014.

Gayle also spent six on the books of Newcastle, scoring 34 times.

In recent years, he has been in the Championship with Stoke and League One with Derby.