CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Glenville High and Ohio State star Donte Whitner is headed back to Cleveland to play for his beloved hometown team, Whitner told cleveland.com.

"I'm coming home,'' Whitner said.

Whitner, 28, will replace safety T.J. Ward, who is expected to sign elsewhere in free agency. Whitner signed a four-year deal worth $28 million for an average of about $7 million a year.

"I'm very excited,'' said Whitner, who has played for San Francisco the past three seasons. "It's a very surreal feeling. It's a dream come true. Everyone dreams about playing for their hometown team and now I have that chance.''

He said his whole family, including his mom, Deborah, is overjoyed.

"She's excited but also a little nervous,'' said Whitner.

In Whitner, the Browns are getting a hard-hitting two-time Pro Bowler, one who has made the all-star squad in each of the past two seasons.

He's set to be joined by former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, who has agreed to a four-year, $24 million deal with the Browns.

"I want to come back to Cleveland and help turn the team and the city around,'' said Whitner, entering his ninth NFL season. "In San Francisco, I went to the NFC Championship game once and to the Super Bowl. I know what it takes to win, and I know what it takes to prepare to win. I can share that with my teammates. We need to instill the culture of winning.''

Whitner said he also wants to give back to the community and to Glenville High.

"I want to set an example for the kids of Cleveland,'' he said. "I want them to know that they can be successful. I feel it's my responsibility to help make Cleveland a place that people want to live and be proud of.''

Whitner would also fill the leadership void left by D'Qwell Jackson, who was released by the Browns and signed with Indianapolis.

Whitner was drafted No. 8 overall by the Bills in 2006 when he was only 20 years old, the youngest player to be drafted at the time. He spent his first five seasons with the Bills and signed with the 49ers as a free agent in 2011, inking a three-year deal worth $11.75 million. Since then, he's been to three NFC Championship games and the Super Bowl.

Whitner, who has contemplated changing his last name to "Hitner,'' is known for his ferocious collisions. He was voted to his second Pro Bowl this season after finishing the year with 73 tackles, 12 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Whitner will pair with free safety Tashaun Gipson.