Horn will retire as a Saint after formally signing contract

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Friday that the team has formally signed wide receiver Joe Horn to a contract so he can retire as a member of the franchise.

Horn, 38, had said that he and the team were working on such a deal when he was elected to the New Orleans SaintsHall of Fame earlier this year.

"Since he first arrived here in 2000, Joe made a significant impact on our team both on and off the field," Saints owner Tom Benson said in a statement released by the team. "In addition to being one of the top players of all-time to wear a Saints uniform, he was always generous with his time to youth and those less fortunate in our community. I am proud that Joe will retire as a member of the New Orleans Saints family."

Horn signed with the Saints as a free agent in 2000 and was selected to four Pro Bowls before leaving New Orleans after the 2006 season. He's the only player in franchise history to have 75 catches in five consecutive seasons, and his 50 touchdown receptions remain a Saints record.

"Joe was one of our club's best free agent signings ever," Loomis said in the statement. "I enjoyed seeing him develop into one of the NFL's top receivers as a Saint. He is certainly one of the top all-time Saints. Given his relationships and the impact that he had both within the organization and in our community, it is only appropriate that he retire a Saint."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.