LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Friday signed versatile defensive lineman Israel Idonije to a two-year contract extension through the 2011 season. Terms were not disclosed.

Idonije, who was due to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2009 campaign, has appeared in 71 games with eight starts in five years with the Bears, registering 99 tackles, 5½ sacks and 10 pass breakups on defense along with 29 tackles and four blocked kicks on special teams.

Defensive lineman Israel Idonije has registered 99 tackles and 5.5 sacks in five seasons with the Bears.

“It’s exciting,” Idonije said. “It’s a pleasant surprise to get something done early. When you dream about how the picture would unfold going into the last year of your contract, this is the ideal situation. It’s perfect to get the deal done. I love Chicago, and I wanted to stay and continue to grow and develop here.

“It’s just warming to know that the team wants me here and wants me to be part of the picture moving to the next three seasons. It’s just a great feeling. 

"Every three or four years you’ve got to handle the business side, and it’s comforting to know that’s all over now. I can just focus on getting my body right for this next season and being at my best on the field.”

Idonije was primarily a special-teams contributor during his first four seasons with the Bears before seeing expanded playing time on defense last year when he established career highs with 28 tackles, 3½ sacks and six pass breakups.

The 6-6, 270-pounder originally entered the NFL in 2003 as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns. He spent the second half of the 2003 season on the Bears practice squad before making the 53-man roster in 2004. Idonije signed an offer sheet with the Bills in 2006 that was matched by the Bears.

The 28-year-old can play both tackle and end and has dropped 36 pounds so far this offseason. Excited about taking another step in 2009 as part of the defensive line rotation, Idonije wanted to sign an extension before reaching the free agent market.

“I have a role here that’s been defined and cut out for me,” he said. “When you go to a new team, you never know what’s going to happen. When you start over, there’s always a level of unknown. Here I know the system and my teammates. It’s great to be able to stay here at home. This is home for me."

Idonije is one of the most active Bears in the community. He operates the Israel Idonije Foundation, which extends positive life-changing opportunities to those in economically-disadvantaged communities while promoting the pursuit of education and knowledge.

Idonije, who was born in Nigeria and grew up in Canada, also recently went on a nine-day humanitarian mission with teammates Adewale Ogunleye and Tommie Harris to Nigeria, where they handed out college scholarships, held youth football camps and brought medical supplies and doctors and nurses to conduct free clinics.