VANCOUVER — TJ Lee will remain with the BC Lions after the club announced a one-year contract extension with the defensive back.

Lee was eligible to become a free agent next week.

“TJ is a young and talented defensive back who has developed into a very versatile and important part of our defensive secondary,” said GM and head coach Wally Buono.

The Seattle native entered the 2016 season as one of the club’s most talented defensive halfbacks and through the first three games of the year, had tallied 15 defensive stops, four knockdowns and a sack. In Week 4 however, Lee’s season came to an end after sustaining an Achilles injury in Regina.

“I’m at 100% and ready to go right now,” said Lee from his home in Bellingham. “I’m thrilled to be back with the Lions knowing how good we’re going to be as a team this year.”

Through three seasons with the team, Lee has logged 29 regular season appearances with 117 defensive tackles, five interceptions and four sacks.

The Lions also announced that national defensive lineman Dylan Ainsworth has been signed by the club. The Delta, BC native had been a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the past three seasons.