Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams has signed a new six-year, $40.25 million contract that ties him to Tampa Bay through the 2018 season.

"We are pleased to have Mike signed to a long-term contract that ensures he will continue to be part of the exciting young core of players we are building around," Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said Wednesday morning in a news release.

Williams, selected by the Bucs in the fourth round of the 2010 draft out of Syracuse, has 2,731 receiving yards with 23 touchdowns in his three seasons. He had 63 receptions for 996 yards and nine TDs last season, helping Josh Freeman become the first 4,000-yard passer in franchise history.

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His 11 receiving touchdowns ranked fourth in the NFL during his rookie year, when despite a 10-6 record the Bucs failed to reach the playoffs. It was the third season of a current five-year stretch in the which they have missed the postseason.

The Bucs announced the deal Wednesday as players reported to training camp.

"Mike has earned this contract through his hard work and production the past three seasons and we are looking forward to seeing him continue that career development as a Buccaneer," Dominik said in the statement.

Williams was entering the final season of his rookie contract. The 25-year-old wideout had 65 receptions for 964 yards as a rookie, then followed with 65 catches for 771 yards in 2011.

Williams had been vocal on his Twitter account about the deal, about how he wanted to be included in the Buccaneers family.

On Wednesday morning he posted a video of his locker accompanied by an "#ItsABucsLife" hashtag.