THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL -- Centre Bryan Chiu will return for a 14th season with the Montreal Alouettes after signing a contract for one year plus an option year.

The 2002 CFL outstanding lineman and nine-time East Division all-star was undecided on whether to return after helping the Alouettes win the Grey Cup in November. The 35-year-old Vancouver native set a team record by playing in his 204th career game last season.

General manager Jim Popp called Chiu "the quarterback of our offensive line for the past 13 years" and said he would help develop the team's future centre.

Veteran guard Paul Lambert, who signed a one-year deal last week, is currently the backup centre, although the team is also looking at young linemen Luc Brodeur-Jourdain and Andrew Woodruff as candidates for the job in the long term.

The signing leaves receiver Kerry Watkins, defensive linemen Jermain McElveen and Keron Williams and fullbacks Kerry Carter and Dahrran Diedrick still to be signed.

Popp said negotiations are progressing with Carter, Diedrick and Watkins, but McElveen and Williams were still working out with NFL teams had yet to decide if they will be back.