"It has been a disappointing start to the season but when you see our injury list it's very difficult to even put a full first team at the moment.

"So between this signing and Jim Hamilton I feel we will have a much better chance at the results we are after."

Crawford left East End Park in 2004 but has had disappointing spells with Plymouth Argyle, Dundee Utd and the Dons since then.

It is understood that Crawford has taken a drop in pay to return to Fife and a local businessman is contributing funds for his wages.

The striker, who began his career with Raith Rovers before moving to Millwall and Hibernian, has been capped 25 times for Scotland.

He scored 69 goals in 193 appearances for Dunfermline but has scored just 10 times in 39 appearances for the Dons.