McFadden celebrates six-year deal with Raiders

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Dynamic running back Darren McFadden was overjoyed on Friday after finalising a six-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.

McFadden, chosen fourth overall in the 2008 draft, has signed a deal estimated by local media to be worth $60 million that ensures he will at training camp on time.

"I am very happy to have it out of the way because I want to be in training camp, I want to be out there practicing and learning the plays," McFadden, 20, told a news conference.

"Missing a day of training camp is like missing a week of college practices. I want to thank my family for coming out and supporting me and the whole Raiders organization for drafting me and I am going to make them very proud.

"It's a great feeling to join this organization," added the double Heisman Trophy runner-up. "The fans are very passionate. It's kind of like playing in the SEC because they have great fans, it is something that I am looking forward to.

"It's been a long time that a running back from Arkansas has been in a Raiders uniform and I'm going to try to make history."

During his college career, McFadden rushed for 4,590 yards on 785 attempts, averaging 5.8 yards, and scored 41 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 46 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns.

Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin was impressed by McFadden's sharp learning curve during a mini-camp last month.

"He is picking things up so fast and it's coming so easy to him," he said. "There is nothing we have thrown at him that he hasn't been able to do, mentally or physically yet."

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ed Osmond)