Cincinnati Bengals confirm Michael Johnson return on four-year deal

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed defensive end Michael Johnson just a year after the player left the club.

The 28-year-old joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014, penning a lucrative five-year deal with the NFC South side after being allowed to test the free-agent market by the Bengals.

However, Johnson struggled at the Buccaneers as they posted the worst record in the NFL last season, and was subsequently released due to salary cap reasons.

The Bengals moved quickly to re-sign the player to a four-year deal worth up to $20m (£13.5m), which will keep him with the club until the end of the 2018 season.

Johnson recorded 27 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles in the 2014 season.