Ex-Patriots DL Vince Wilfork to Sign $9M Contract With Texans

It is confirmed! Former New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork will sign with the Houston Texans.

According to ESPN, the two-year deal amounting to $9 million also includes $5 million of guaranteed money.

With his new team, Wilfork aims "to turn the Texans into a contender again" because it was unable to join the playoffs for the past two seasons despite winning back-to-back division titles in 2011 and 2012.

"My goal is to help this team win as many games as possible and bring winning to this town. I think we deserve that, so that's my No. 1 goal," he was quoted by ESPN as saying.

Wilfork is also excited to work for the team and "bring a lot of fun and bring a lot of experience."

"I'm not a coach by no means, but at the same time, I've been on another level where I've won a lot of games and won Super Bowls. If guys want to know what it takes or how it feels, I'm here for that," he added.

On his Twitter page, he posted his decision to join the Texans and also shared a screenshot of his message thanking the Patriots.

"This has been an interesting process for me and my family, one we have taken very seriously and given a lot of thought. We want to thank the Kraft family and the entire Patriot organization for the last 11 years however we will be starting a new chapter in our lives as Houston Texans," he wrote.

Wilfork added that the coaching staff in Houston "made this new exciting transition feel like home to us."

He will join Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt and last year's No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney in Houston, The Guardian noted.

ESPN added that Wilfork recently became a free agent when the Patriots opted not exercise his option for this season, which resulted to an $8.06 million salary-cap space.

But even if he will already move to a new home, Wilfork did not forget to thank and praise Patriots coach Bill Belichick for the "privilege" of working with the "best coach."

For his part, Belichick also praised the former Patriot. "Few players reached or will ever reach the special level of Vince Wilfork. He is a great champion and one of the classiest people I have ever been around -- just a kind, genuine and giving person who was all about our team, football, winning and bringing joy to others," Belichick was quoted as saying.

The coach added that Wilfork was "the best defensive lineman" he ever coached.