Montpellier have signed Nigeria striker John Utaka from English Championship (second division) team Portsmouth.

"John has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and could play against St Etienne on Feb. 5," the Ligue 1 club said on their website (www.mhscfoot.com) on Saturday. Utaka returns to France where he previously played for five seasons with Stade Rennes and Racing Lens.

Montpellier are seventh in the league.