The Carolina Panthers signed former Seattle Seahawks star DJ Hackett on a two-year deal as a free agent.

Hackett has signed a $3.5 million contract with the Panthers after rejecting a move to Washington and Tampa Bay, who were also keen on signing the wide receiver.

Seattle were thought to be keen to keep hold of Hackett but, with limited cash available on their salary cap and other receiving options such as Deion Branch, Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram, they gave up on re-signing him.

The 26-year-old will be the number two receiver in Carolina, to add a viable alternative to Steve Smith.

"The opportunity that they presented to him, he felt like it was a really good opportunity," said his agent Kevin Robinson.