The Montreal Alouettes have signed Michael Sam to a two-year contract, the team announced Friday.

“With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today,” Alouettes general manager Jim Popp said in a statement. “Not only have we added an outstanding football player, we have added even a better person that brings dignity, character, and heart to our team.”

Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL, was a seventh-round draft pick for the St Louis Rams, where he spent the offseason and training camp. He was released despite a productive preseason and picked up for the Dallas Cowboys’ 10-man practice squad, but never made the 53-man roster and was waived in October.

Now the 6ft 2in, 260lb defensive end is headed north to join a team that finished second in the CFL’s East Division and won their playoff opener against the BC Lions before falling to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the division finals.

“I am very excited and proud to join the Montreal Alouettes and want to thank team owner Robert Wetenhall, general manager Jim Popp and head coach Tom Higgins for this opportunity,” said Sam, who will be formally introduced at a press conference Tuesday at the Montreal Airport Marriott. “I cannot wait to put on the pads, get back on the field and work hard each and every day with my teammates to bring a Grey Cup to the great fans here in Montreal.”