Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has said that he is "honoured" to have signed a new contract with the team.

Suggs's previous deal was due to run out at the end of the 2014 season, and there was speculation over whether he would be cut by the team if they failed to reach an agreement before the start of the campaign.

However, the parties agreed upon a four-year extension, and the 31-year-old is hopeful that he will now be able to retire as a Raven.

"That's the plan, unless [general manager] Ozzie [Newsome] has a trick up his sleeve. Sizzle will be a Raven for life. I'm truly flattered and honored that I get to be Raven for life," Suggs told reporters.

The six-time Pro Bowler is the team's all-time leader in sacks (94.5) and forced fumbles (29), and was named as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.