The Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League have received confirmation that 27-year-old slotback Andy Fantuz has signed a contract with the National Football League's Chicago Bears.

“It's always difficult to lose one of your top players, but we do congratulate Andy and wish him all the best in Chicago,” said Roughrider general manager Brendan Taman. “We knew this was a possibility and will continue with our off-season plan to replace Andy. We will monitor our options, both within the personnel we have, and with recruiting as we go forward.”

Taken in the first round of the 2006 Canadian college draft, Fantuz played five seasons with the Riders. He had 276 receptions for 4,136 yards and 23 touchdowns in 73 regular-season games. Last season, he was named the CFL's most-outstanding Canadian with 1,380 yards on 87 catches. He also finished in top spot for receiving yards in the regular season and became a league all-star for the first time.

Andy Fantuz heads south.