Chad Johnson signs with CFL's Montreal Alouettes

Chad Johnson is returning to professional football, albeit with the CFL's Montreal Alouettes. Johnson signed his new contract Thursday afternoon.

THE SHIRTS RT @MTLAlouettes: IT'S OFFICIAL: @ochocinco puts pen to paper with @PoppJim. pic.twitter.com/yvNkXMUvV8

— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) April 17, 2014

The wide receiver formerly known as "Ochocinco" was last seen in the NFL at the Miami Dolphins training camp in 2012. He was released in August, prior to the season opener, one day after being arrested on domestic battery charges for allegedly head-butting his then-wife, Evelyn Lozada. In June 2013, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating his probation after slapping his attorney on the butt during a hearing.

Johnson hasn't played in a professional game since 2011, when he was a ballyhooed but disappointing addition to the New England Patriots. The franchise's successful reclamation of Randy Moss had many excited that Johnson would have similar success as one of Tom Brady's primary receivers. He had just 15 receptions for 276 yards and one touchdown in 15 regular season games, however.

That said, Johnson is still an 11,000-yard receiver. The 36-year-old may no longer be fit for the NFL, but he could improve an Alouettes team looking to rebound from a disappointing 8-10 season in 2013. Montreal won two consecutive Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010, but has since had diminishing success, culminating in its first losing season since 2007.