Durham sign Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson for T20

Durham have signed Australia seamer Mitchell Johnson as their second overseas player for the Twenty20 competition.

The 30-year-old, who has Test, one day and T20 honours with his national team, will join South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs in the Durham ranks.

"I've heard brilliant things about Durham from Paul Collingwood when he played over in Perth," Johnson said.

"I'm really excited about joining up with the squad."

Despite a brace of championship wins, Durham have struggled to make an impact in Twenty20, with just one Finals Day appearance since the formation of the competition.

Johnson joins a list of big names to have worn the county's colours in short-form cricket over the last few seasons that includes Ross Taylor.

"Delivering match-winning contributions is important to me and that's not just with a focus on my bowling," Johnson added.

"All round performances in T20 are really important and I want to leave at the end of July having secured our place at Finals Day."

Durham chief executive David Harker said: "Mitchell is an excellent addition to our squad and he will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

"One of our ambitions for 2012 is to get to T20 Finals Day and we have made the investment to bring in players that we feel will enhance our already talented squad to help us achieve that.

"It'll be great for us to welcome Mitchell to the set up and I'm sure our supporters will give him and Herschelle a very warm north east welcome."