Aberdeen has confirmed that Russell will return to the club he left almost five years ago as club captain and be handed squad number 27.
The return of the 32-year-old lifelong Aberdeen supporter, who has played for Sunderland, Plymouth, Burnley and Derby since leaving the Dons, is a huge lift to the Pittodrie club according to boss Craig Brown.
He said: "Russell has signed initially until the end of next season and, even although he is some weeks away from a return to full fitness, simply having him around the club again is a tremendous boost to everyone.
"Our medical team and the player are confident that he will make a full recovery.
"Russell is Aberdeen through and through and his influence both on and off the park will be a massive confidence boost for all of us here."
Russell made 320 appearances and scored 18 goals in his first Dons spell and has 10 Scotland caps, all but one of which were achieved during his time at Pittodrie.