EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Less than two weeks after putting a franchise tag on him, the New York Giants signed bruising halfback Brandon Jacobs to a four-year, $25 million contract on Wednesday.

The signing came less than two days before the start of the NFL free agency period.

"Brandon is thrilled to continue his career with the New York Giants," Justin Schulman, his agent, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "This is the place he always wanted to be and he will be here for the foreseeable future."

Jacobs, the 264-pound mainstay of the Giants' running attack the past two seasons, signed the deal on Wednesday after the two sides hammered out the agreement over the past week.

Jacobs ran for 1,089 yards and a team-leading 15 touchdowns in helping the Giants win the NFC East last season. He also combined with fellow halfback Derrick Ward (1,025 yards) to make the Giants only the fifth team with two 1,000-yard running backs.

Ward also became a free agent after last season.

Putting a franchise tag on Jacobs earlier this month guaranteed him a $6.6 million salary next season. If he had remained a free agent, the Giants could have matched any offer made by another team or allow him to sign with that team in exchange for two first-round draft picks.