TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts have added a veteran presence to their secondary, announcing Saturday the addition of former Tiger-Cat Johnny Sears.

Sears, 29, heads up the QEW after two seasons with the Ticats and five with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Last season, Sears started five contests for Kent Austin’s team as the starting halfback before suffering a season-ending injury.

A 6-foot-1, 193-pound native of Fresno, Calif., Sears arrives in the ‘Big Smoke’ with seven seasons of CFL experience to his name. In 45 career games, he has registered 158 defensive tackles, 15 special teams tackles, seven tackles for a loss, two quarterback sacks, eight interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.

The veteran concluded his NCAA career at Eastern Michigan after spending two seasons at the University of Michigan. Sears tallied 48 tackles and seven pass deflections during his collegiate career. Primarily featured as a kick returner, he retrieved 44 kickoffs for 977 yards.