Fox has turned strong rumor into reality: Chord Overstreet will soon return to Glee.

Both series creator Ryan Murphy and the actor himself issued statements today, with the former saying: “We love Chord and have always said that we wanted him back. So here's an early Christmas present for all the Gleeks - Sam is coming back to McKinley, and just in time for sectionals!”

Added Overstreet: "I had the best time on Glee and couldn't be more excited to be returning."

Look for Overstreet's Sam to pop up in December and appear on multiple episodes. We last saw him holding hands with Mercedes on the season two finale, prior to contract negotiations falling apart over the summer and it being revealed on the season three premiere that Sam's family moved away.

Glee itself returns with new episodes on November 1, as we'll meet Damian McGinty's Rory Flanagan, along with Sue's competition for congress. View the official trailer for "Pot O' Gold" NOW.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.