Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis signs two-year contract extension

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has signed a two-year contract extension at the club.

The 32-year-old has been with the Panthers since the 2005 season and has overcome two torn ACLs in his 10-year NFL career to return to playing at a high level over the past three campaigns.

As a result, the NFC South side have rewarded him with a two-year extension to keep him at the club until the end of the 2017 season, as his current deal was due to expire at the end of the 2015 campaign.

"Thomas has been and continues to be an integral part of our team on the field and off the field," general manager Dave Gettleman told the club's official website.

"His leadership is valuable and he is still playing at a high level. We're thrilled we could get this done.

"He's a lynchpin in our defense and we're excited that he's going to have the ability to retire as a Panther."

Davis has recorded 728 tackles, 17.5 sacks and six interceptions in his 10 years in the NFL.