LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The San Diego Chargers have signed defensive end Luis Castillo to a new seven-year contract, the team announced on Tuesday.

Castillo, the first Dominican-born player to start in the NFL, is now under contract through the 2014 season.

In three seasons with the Chargers, the 2005 first-round draft choice has recorded 13 career sacks. An ankle injury forced him to miss seven games last year before returning to the lineup.

"Luis has played a huge role in the success we've had as a defense," Chargers General Manager AJ Smith said in a statement. "He's an ascending player who is committed to getting better."

(Writing by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; editing by Ken Ferris)

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