The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed linebacker Simoni Lawrence to a two-year contract just one day before he was set to become a free agent.

Lawrence has spent the past six seasons with the Tiger-Cats and finished last year with 68 tackles and three sacks.

The 30-year-old started his CFL career with the Edmonton Eskimos but has played 98 of his 113 career regular season games with the Ticats. Lawrence has 435 tackles, 22 sacks, and eight interceptions in his seven years in the league.

The University of Minnesota product was named the East Division's Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2015. He is a three-time East Division All-Star (2014-16) and was named a CFL All-Star in 2015.