HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed international defensive back Johnny Sears Jr.

The six-foot-one, 193-pound native of Fresno, Calif., joins the Tiger-Cats after spending the past five seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Sears has registered 127 tackles, six interceptions, four fumble recoveries and one sack over 35 career CFL games.

The 28-year-old also totalled 200 kick return yards on 11 attempts (18.2 yards per return) for the Bombers.

"Johnny is an incredibly athletic and versatile defender. He can play more than one position in our defensive backfield, and has the ability to make the type of big plays that can change the outcome of a game," Ticats general manager and head coach Kent Austin said in a statement.