One of the longest serving Stampeders will be remaining in Calgary.

Linebacker Juwan Simpson has signed a three-year deal with the CFL club, Sportsnet has learned. Locking up the Stamps defensive leader avoids the 29-year-old hitting free agency in February.

The timing of Simpson’s extension is critical. By getting the contract inked before the new year, his signing bonus will count toward Calgary’s 2013 salary cap.

Simpson, who has been with the Stamps since the 2008 Grey Cup championship season, was an integral part of Calgary’s defence last year.

He was named a West Division all-star for the third time in his CFL career, after a six-sack, 56-tackle campaign. New Stampeders defensive coordinator Rich Stubler told Calgary reporters that Simpson was a priority earlier this month. Sources indicated Simpson received a significant raise with the extension, suggesting the Stampeders left room on their 2013 cap to address expiring contracts.

The Stampeders have nine remaining free agents on the defensive side of the football.

Simpson, a CFL all-star in 2010, played collegiately at Alabama.