Doug Flutie , once dubbed too small to play in the US National Football League, has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth £22 million with the Buffalo Bills. "Flutie-mania" took hold of Buffalo fans last season, as Flutie guided the team to eight victories in 11 starts as the Bills rolled into the play-offs.

Flutie, 36, received a $6 million signing bonus in the new deal. Replacing the injured Rob Johnson, Flutie, an eight-year veteran of the Canadian Football League, completed 57 per cent of his passes for 2,711 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also ran 49 times for 245 yards.