DeMarcus Ware has signed a new six-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Pro Bowl outside linebacker agreed a contract extension worth a reported $78million through to the end of the 2015 season.

The deal, which includes $40million in guaranteed money, makes Ware one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.

Ware has 57.5 sacks since being drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2005 draft out of Troy State. He led the league in sacks with 20 last season.

Ware said: "For them to show me how much of value I am, to sign me early, they could have franchised me. But they didn't do that. They said: 'DeMarcus, you put in the work, you put in the time, we're going to show you how appreciative we are.'

"I feel like I work really hard and really deserve what they've given me. Now it's really time to get to work. All this is behind me."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said: "He's a cornerstone player of this franchise and will be for some time to come."