New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich has signed a three-year contract extension to remain with the club until the 2016 season.

The deal is worth a reported $15m (£9.3m) with a guaranteed sum of $8.5m (£5.3m) for the 29-year-old, who has been with the Patriots since the 2009 campaign.

"I'm happy to be here, I'm happy to stick around," Ninkovich told radio station WEEI.

"The Kraft family and my family worked it out to where it works well for both sides and I'm happy to be here for the next three, four years now."

New England are 3-0 in their season following a 23-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.