Andrew Flintoff has signed a three-year contract to play one-day cricket for Lancashire. The England all-rounder retired from Test cricket after last summer's Ashes victory after failing to overcome a long-standing knee injury.

In September, Flintoff confirmed he would become a freelance cricketer by rejecting the offer of an incremental contract from the ECB. Flintoff has said that he remains “fully committed” to playing one-day and Twenty20 cricket for England, but opted to remain a free agent, allowing him to make his own decisions about when and where to play.

The 31-year-old, who underwent surgery on his right knee in late August, has since spoken of his desire to become "the best one-day cricketer in the world" and has now agreed a deal with the county to play until 2012.

"I am delighted at being able to agree a new contract which enables me to remain at Old Trafford for the next three years," Flintoff said. "I have felt part of Lancashire ever since I first played here as a schoolboy and I want to help them achieve success.

"I have enjoyed many highs with England over the years, but I have not had the same success with Lancashire and that is something I want to address.

"I have a good relationship with Peter Moores and Glen Chapple and hopefully I can be of help to them both on the pitch and in the dressing room. I am looking forward to being around the Lancashire dressing room more now I have retired from Test cricket and this contract will also give me the flexibility to play other forms of one-day cricket around the world, which hopefully help me develop as a player and in turn, help Lancashire and England."

Flintoff made his debut for Lancashire in 1995 and Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's cricket director, is delighted the all-rounder had committed his future to the county.

"Fred is Lancashire through-and-through and he is a great inspiration to our young players," he said. "It is a huge boost for the club that he will be wearing our shirt on a regular basis in 2010 and beyond."

Head coach Peter Moores added: "Fred is a proven match-winner, and the type of player that lifts a dressing room with his sheer enthusiasm and will to win. It's great that he is going to be with us, and I'm sure our supporters will be just as thrilled with the news."