The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with record-setting kicker Jason Elam, who is leaving Denver after 15 seasons with the Broncos.

The former University of Hawai'i kicker confirmed the four-year, $9 million deal in a telephone conversation yesterday.

He had been Denver's kicker since 1993, but he's coming home in a sense. He played high school football in suburban Atlanta.

"It was a decision I put a lot of thought into," Elam said. "I'm excited to be back in my hometown, although it's bittersweet. I'll be really sad to leave Denver. It's been awesome. But I'm excited about the next chapter."

Elam said he spent many sleepless nights weighing the decision of whether to remain with Denver or sign with Atlanta. What finally won him over was the Falcons' devotion to him.

"They were like, 'You're our guy and we don't care if you're 38 years old,' " Elam said. "I like their direction."

Elam has reached 100 points in each of his 15 seasons and ranks fifth on the career list with 395 field goals and sixth in points with 1,786.