"It is a real honour that Surrey have asked me to join their club after my retirement from international cricket," Morkel, who has taken 544 wickets across all formats of the game, said in a statement to Surrey's website (http://www.kiaoval.com).
Morkel will be available for Surrey in all forms of the game as a Kolpak registered player.
A player becomes eligible for a Kolpak deal when he gives up the right to play for his country and is not classed as an overseas player in country cricket.
"I'm looking forward to settling into London with my family for the summer, making new friendships with team mates and hopefully great memories on and off the field."
Surrey are looking for their first county championship title since 2002 and begin their campaign at home to Hampshire on April 20.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
