Michael Sam is headed to the CFL.

The Montreal Alouettes signed the free agent defensive end to a two-year deal on Friday.

Sam, who has been out of football since being cut from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad in October, had long been rumoured to be on the Alouettes' negotiation list.

The 25-year-old became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL last May when the St. Louis Rams selected him in the seventh round. He failed to make the Rams' 53-man roster after training camp.

"With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today," Alouettes' general manager Jim Popp said in a statement. "Not only have we added an outstanding football player, we have added even a better person that brings dignity, character, and heart to our team."

He will wear No. 94 with the Alouettes.

Sam was named SEC defensive player of the year in 2013 after an 11.5 sack season with Missouri.

He appeared at the NFL's veteran combine in March, but struggled to impress scouts.

"He's an outstanding pass rusher. People are like `why didn't he make the NFL?' and I don't speak for those teams," Popp said. "But I can say in all my years of doing this he is the classic tweener, fits perfectly into our league because of what he does well and that's pass rush. His body-type doesn't fit a lot of NFL teams. What he does great is line up off the edge and pass rush. He' bigger than guys who've had success in our league like Elfird Payton and Joe Montford."

"The CFL is a great fit for his body type and what we ask that guy to do."

"I am very excited and proud to join the Montreal Alouettes and want to thank team owner Robert Wetenhall, General Manager Jim Popp and Head Coach Tom Higgins for this opportunity," Sam said. "I cannot wait to put on the pads, get back on the field and work hard each and every day with my teammates to bring a Grey Cup to the great fans here in Montreal."

"Congratulations to the Montreal Alouettes on the signing of Michael Sam," CFL Commissioner Jeffrey L. Orridge said in a statement. "Our players come to us from different places, different walks of life and ultimately they take different paths to get to our fields. Today is another indication of how open and progressive the CFL is - consistent with our rich and storied history of great football tradition. Welcome to Montreal, Michael!"

Most recently, Sam completed a stint on "Dancing With the Stars."