Linebacker Farrior signs five-year deal with Pittsburgh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Steelers signed All-Pro linebacker James Farrior, a pillar of their defense for the last six seasons, to a five-year contract on Thursday.

Although financial terms were not disclosed by the Steelers, local media estimated the deal was worth $18.2 million.

A 12-year league veteran, Farrior joined the Steelers from the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent in 2002 and has led the team in tackles four times in the last six campaigns.

He earned All-Pro honors and finished second in voting for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, when he made his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

Farrior, 33, has been one of the defensive co-captains at Pittsburgh since 2004.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris)