After a protracted and somewhat contentious negotiation period, Michael Weatherly has finally signed a new, multi-year deal to return to NCIS for its eighth season.

Entertainment Weekly confirms that Weatherly, who plays wise-cracking Tony DiNozzo, will be back for Season 8 and beyond, keeping the cast almost wholly intact.

Sean Murray is the only cast member without a new contract. Pauley Perrette, Rocky Carroll, and David McCallum all reached new deals to return in recent months.

Mark Harmon and Cote de Pablo already had deals in place for Season 8. Harmon, Weatherly, Perrette and McCallum have appeared on all 162 episodes of the show.

Once Murray signs a new contract, which he is expected to, the complete NCIS cast will be signed for multiple seasons, great news for fans of TV's best-rated drama.

A free agent no more, Michael Weatherly will star on NCIS for the foreseeable future.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.