Steve Charbonneau is returning to Montreal, where he broke into the Canadian Football League in 1997.

Alouettes general manager and head coach Jim Popp signed Charbonneau on Thursday, two weeks after the defensive lineman was released by the Edmonton Eskimos.

Steve Charbonneau (98) posted four sacks in 17 games last season.
(Troy Fleece/Canadian Press)

"Football has grown so much in Quebec since I've been gone and the Als are always a successful franchise," the six-foot-five, 295-pound Charbonneau said in a release.

"Being here, I know we'll have the full support from the community and we'll always be competitive."

Charbonneau, 33, is a native of Cowansville, Que., and still has a home in Quebec with his wife, former Canadian Olympic speedskater Isabelle Charest.

Last season, he posted 27 defensive tackles and four quarterback sacks in 17 games with the Eskimos, winning Grey Cup titles in 2003 and 2005.

"I have two rings and that feels great," said Charbonneau. "Now the mission is to win with the Als instead of against them."

In five seasons with Montreal, Charbonneau recorded 116 tackles, 14 sacks, 31 special teams tackles, 12 tackles for losses and scored a touchdown. He signed as a free agent with Edmonton in 2002.

Popp is excited to have Charbonneau back in the fold.

"He adds much-needed size and strength to our defensive line, as well as veteran leadership that can go a long way," Popp said. "Having a local leader like Steve is always important to the Alouettes and is a big part of the great success we've had over the years."

Montreal won the East Division in 2006 with a 10-6 record and later fell 25-14 to the B.C. Lions in the 94th Grey Cup in Winnipeg in November.

With files from the Canadian Press