Hartson: Moving on (ChrisLobina/Allsport)

The Welsh striker looked set for a move to Highfield Road last Friday but the club were unable to secure insurance for Hartson due to his chequered medical history.

Sky Blues chairman Bryan Richardson said: 'We are delighted John is joining us.

'We have agreed terms with Wimbledon, details of which will remain private between the clubs.'

It is believed that Wimbledon have waived the £5million asking price for the former Arsenal and West Ham player and will accept a fee of around £15,000 for each game Hartson plays.

The 25-year-old will have to play more than 300 games if the Dons are to receive £5million and that will still be a financial loss for the club who spent £7.5million on the striker two years ago.

But Wimbledon's Norwegian owners wanted to cut costs following relegation from the Premiership last season and Hartson was the biggest wage earner at the club earning £13,000 a week - plus a £10,000 goal bonus.

Hartson had been linked with a number of clubs, including a £7million transfer to Tottenham and a switch to Scottish Premier League champions Rangers both of which broke down because of failed medicals.

Sky Blues manager Gordon Strachan is desperate to bring in new firepower to bolster a shot-shy attack which has managed just 23 goals in 26 Premiership matches.

Richardson said: 'We have been creating many chances in recent weeks and not converting them and hopefully John Hartson can rectify that situation.

'I also think that Craig Bellamy will benefit from having John Hartson alongside him,' he added.

The signing of Hartson, who has notched 10 goals in 22 appearances this season for the Dons, gives the Sky Blues an all-Welsh partnership up front, with £6.5million club record signing Bellamy.

Hartson is set to make his Coventry debut away to his former club West Ham on Monday.