Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - The Carolina Panthers have signed kicker Graham Gano to a four-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal will keep the five-year veteran off the free agent market.
Gano converted 24-of-27 field goal tries last year and set a franchise record with six made kicks of at least 50 yards. He also drilled 76 of his 82 kickoffs into the end zone with 63 touchbacks and led the NFL with a 77.8 touchback percentage.
"The special teams unit was a large part of our success last year and we are excited to keep Graham as a part of our team," said Panthers coach Ron Rivera in a statement Friday. "Graham has shown range and accuracy in his field goal kicking, and his strong leg has been a weapon for us on kickoffs."
Gano joined the Panthers for the final six games of the 2012 season after spending his first three years with the Washington Redskins. He has connected on 92-of-118 field goal tries in his career.
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