Morrissey has signed a deal to release his next album.

The 54-year-old singer, who has been without a label since the release of his last record Years of Refusal in 2009, has inked a new worldwide record deal with Universal Music's American-based Harvest Records.

In a statement, the singer said he was "thrilled" to have signed the contract and his tenth studio album will be released in the second half of 2014. The former frontman of The Smiths plans to head back into the studio in France later this month with producer Joe Chiccarelli, along with his longtime touring band, including guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, bassist Soloman Walker, drummer Matthew Walker and keyboard player Gustavo Manzur.

Morrissey, who released his autobiography last year, was advised by doctors to take it easy after suffering from a bleeding ulcer, double pneumonia and a throat condition in January 2013. He had to cancel a string of live dates after collapsing and being rushed to hospital but the singer now plans to tour again this year.

"Morrissey is clearly one of music's most important and influential artists. He is the rate soul who has stayed consistently true to his artistic vision and ethical principles since he first exploded onto the scene in the 1980s. We are so happy that he has chosen Capitol Music Group as his home and that his forthcoming album on Harvest will bring new Morrissey music to the world," Capitol Music Group Chairman and CEO Steve Barrett told the NME.