Tom Brady: Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign legendary NFL quarterback after New England Patriots exit
Tom Brady has joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers having announced he was leaving the New England Patriots earlier this week.
The legendary NFL quarterback spent 20 seasons in New England and established himself as perhaps the greatest NFL player of all time.
However, he made the decision to depart and the Bucs announced his signing on Friday in the most emphatic way possible, with their official statement confirming: 'The G.O.A.T. is coming to Tampa'.
The statement continued: "The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have addressed their starting quarterback situation in the boldest way possible, signing the player commonly referred to as the 'greatest of all time': Tom Brady.
"Brady, who tested the free agent market for the first time in his career after 20 historic seasons in New England, signed a multi-year contract with the Buccaneers, the team announced on Friday. Tampa Bay's addition of the three-time NFL MVP is an indication that team architects believe the rest of the roster is already strong enough to compete for a Super Bowl title and are going all-in in that pursuit. Brady has known nothing but winning in his two decades in the NFL, including six Super Bowl championships, 17 division titles and an NFL record 219 victories as a starter."
Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion, posted on Instagram a picture of him signing his contract with the NFC South team, who are owned by the Glazer family who also own Manchester United.
"Excited, humble and hungry ...if there is one thing I have learned about football, it's that nobody cares what you did last year or the year before that...you earn the trust and respect of those around through your commitment every single day," Brady wrote.
"I'm starting a new football journey and thankful for the @buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do. I look forward to meeting all my new team-mates and coaches and proving to them that they can believe and trust in me...
"I have always believed that well done is better than well said, so I'm gonna not say much more - I'm just gonna get to work! #Year1"
No terms of the 42-year-old's deal with Tampa Bay have been disclosed.
On Tuesday, Brady confirmed his exit from New England, drawing to a close a 20-year long spell during which he and coach Bill Belichick built one of the greatest dynasties the NFL has known.
In Tampa Bay, he is reunited with Jason Licht, who was part of the Patriots scouting department when New England drafted Brady in 2000 but is now the Buccaneers general manager.
"Tom is a proven champion who has achieved greatness on the field because he demands the best out of himself and his team-mates," said Licht.
"I've known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has.
"He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organisation."
Brady will replace Jameis Winston as Tampa Bay's quarterback. Winston, the number one overall draft pick in 2015, broke Tampa Bay's single-season record last campaign as he threw for 5,109 yards, but his 33 touchdowns came with 30 interceptions and his contract was not renewed.
Brady played in nine Super Bowls with New England, and was on the winning team with the Patriots at the end of the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018 seasons - the latter making him the oldest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl at the age of 41.