Former All Pro guard Alan Faneca signs five year deal with Jets

File photo shows then-Pittsburgh Steelers guard Alan Faneca (66) on the third day of the team's training camp at St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, July 25, 2007.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Jets signed unrestricted free-agent guard Alan Faneca, a five-times All-Pro, on a five-year contract on Monday.

The deal is estimated by local media to be worth $40 million, making the former Pittsburgh Steelers player among the league's highest-paid offensive linemen.

"Alan is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and we are fortunate to add him to our roster," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told the team's Web site (www.newyorkjets.com).

"We made our interest in him known from the beginning of free agency. In addition to Alan's production on the field we were just as impressed with the intangibles he brings to the locker room as well as to the community."

Faneca, 31, played 10 seasons and 158 games out of a possible 160 with the Steelers after being drafted as a first-round pick in 1998.

He also started 11 postseason games including Pittsburgh's victory over Seattle in the 2006 Super Bowl.

Selected for seven consecutive Pro Bowls, Faneca helped Steelers running backs Jerome Bettis (four times) and Willie Parker (three times) rush for more than 1,000 yards.

"Alan has consistently played at a high level throughout his career," Jets head coach Eric Mangini said.

"He is a conscientious performer who is smart, physical and excels at playing in space. He enjoys playing the game and will be a source of leadership and toughness."

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Tony Jimenez)