Winnipeg (CFL.ca) - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers football club announced Monday that the organization has extended the contract of non-import receiver Arjei Franklin. The University of Windsor product inked a two-year extension (including an option), keeping Franklin locked up through February, 2010.

Franklin (5-9, 190, DOB: April 25, 1982 in Scarborough, Ontario) has been one of the top Canadian finds for the Blue Bombers since the club selected him in the third round, 19th overall, of the 2006 Canadian college draft. By signing the pact, the Blue Bombers avoid having Franklin become a free agent at the end of this season.

“Arjei has emerged into a real threat for our football team and we are very pleased to have him continue to be part of our franchise,” said Blue Bombers general manager Brendan Taman. “Arjei has worked hard to become one of the top Canadian receivers in this league and to have him surrounded by three 1,000-yard receivers will only make him better.”

The third-year pro has been a dependable target in a deep Blue Bombers receiving corps through his first two CFL seasons. Despite missing time due to injury, Franklin still hauled in 36 passes for 452 yards through only 10 games last year. He was solid in Winnipeg’s 2007 playoff run finishing the post-season with nine catches for 88 yards, including a pair of receptions for 38 yards in last November’s Grey Cup.

Franklin appeared in 16 regular season games in 2006 and was the team’s nominee for the CFL’s rookie of the year award.

“I am definitely happy to be back for the foreseeable future,” said Franklin. “Winnipeg has been great. The coaches and the players have been a big help in my development and I am looking forward to helping the team work toward winning a championship.”

Prior to his pro career, Franklin was two-time all-Canadian (2004, 2005) and the all-time leading receiver in Lancers history. He earned bachelor of human kinetics and bachelor of education degrees in university and is a teacher in the off-season.