TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts announced Thursday that the team has signed international quarterback James Franklin to a two-year contract extension that will keep him in Toronto through the 2019 season.

“James is an outstanding young man and a great leader,” said Argos General Manager Jim Popp. “We welcome him to the mix of talented quarterbacks we have on our roster and look forward to watching him compete.”

Franklin, 26, was acquired via trade with the Edmonton Eskimos on December 11, 2017, along with a third-round 2018 CFL Draft selection in exchange for Canadian OL Mason Woods.

“Completing the trade for James in December allowed us to negotiate with him exclusively,” said Popp. “When you trade for a player with an expiring contract, there is always an element of risk involved and that risk paid off.”

The 6-2, 225-pound native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, dressed for 52 games in three years with the Eskimos. In 12 appearances, the University of Missouri product completed 116-of-176 pass attempts for 1,449 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just one interception while rushing for 145 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.

In three career starts with Edmonton, the former Mizzou Tiger holds a 2-1 record, completing 60-of-89 pass attempts for 775 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His most recent start came in Week 20 of the 2016 season against the Argos, in which the 26-year old pivot completed 18-of-23 attempts for 335 yards and four touchdowns.