The Patriots have come to terms on a one-year deal with free-agent linebacker Niko Koutouvides, a key special teams contributor for the club in 2012, a league source confirmed.

Koutouvides, 31, joined the team in 2011 and has played in 22 regular-season games since that time. He appeared in 14 games during the 2012 season, totaling four tackles.

His role has primarily been as a special teams coverage player on the core four special teams units.

Originally a 2004 fourth-round pick of the Seahawks, Koutouvides has 164 career tackles in nine pro seasons.

Albert Breer of NFL Network and NFL.com originally reported the agreement.