Scottish champions Celtic have signed former Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon on an initial two-year deal, the club announced Thursday.

The 31-year-old Gordon, capped 40 times by Scotland, has not played professionally for two seasons following his release from Sunderland in 2012 after a series of arm and knee injuries derailed his career.

But he will have the chance to resurrect his career at Celtic Park, where he will provide competition to incumbent first-choice keeper and England international Fraser Forster.

"Celtic have signed goalkeeper Craig Gordon on a two-year contract with the club having the option of a third year," read a statement on the club's official website.

"(He) will immediately jet out to Austria to join Ronny Deila and his new Celtic team-mates at their pre-season base," it added.

Gordon started his career with Hearts, winning the 2006 Scottish Cup with his hometown club, before earning a £9million move to Sunderland in 2007, then a British record fee for a keeper.

However, his time at the Stadium of Light was blighted by a series of injuries before he lost his place to Simon Mignolet, now at Liverpool, ahead of the 2010/11 season with further knee problems eventually spelling the end of his time with the Black Cats.