The Seattle Seahawks signed defensive end Cliff Avril to a multiyear contract on Thursday.

Avril comes to the Pacific Northwest from Detroit where he had spent his entire five-year career after being selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2008 draft.

Last season, the 26-year-old totaled 35 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks in 16 games and he has 168 tackles and 39 1/2 sacks, along with 16 forced fumbles in 73 games.