Hamilton, ON (Sports Network) - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats bolstered their receiving corps on Friday, signing free agent wide receiver Andy Fantuz to a four-year contract on Friday.
"I'm coming home. After a very difficult deliberation process, the opportunity to play for my local team, in front of family and friends, was impossible to refuse," said Fantuz. "While 'Rider Pride' will always be a part of me, it's time to head to Tigertown. Hamilton has a great tradition of football excellence and I am thrilled be a part of a team that will immediately challenge for a Grey Cup."
The 28-year old completed a six-year stint with Saskatchewan with 289 receptions for 4,311 yards and 23 touchdowns. In 2011, Fantuz was hampered by injury, totaling just 13 catches for 175 yards over four contests.
That was a disappointing follow-up to a 2010 season where Fantuz struck for career highs in catches (87) and yards (1,380) along with six scores in 18 games as the Riders fell to the Alouettes in the Grey Cup.
"The opportunity to acquire a talent like Andy Fantuz in the prime of his career doesn't happen very often," said Hamilton vice president of football operations Bob O'Billovich. "It's great news for our players and our fans in Tigertown and I know Coach Cortez is excited to get Andy on the field with our already talented group of players on offense."