Guitarist John Frusciante is rejoining the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, 10 years after he last left, says bassist Flea.

The band is "parting ways" with Josh Klinghoffer, who replaced Frusciante after he left in 2009, CNN quoted Flea as saying on Instagram.

Flea announced Frusciante's return "with great excitement, and full hearts", while expressing gratitude to Klinghoffer for his time with the band and "the countless gifts he shared with us".

This is Frusciante's third time around with the group.

Red Hot Chili Peppers was formed in the early 1980s, and Frusciante joined the band about a year before their 1989 breakthrough album "Mother's Milk", was released.

Frusciante left the band in 1992, in the middle of a tour, and had a well-documented battle with drug abuse in the 1990s.

He joined the group for the second time six years later.