SAN FRANCISCO – Frank Gore has long tried to pattern himself after Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, who played his entire 10-year career with the Detroit Lions.

Gore has seen other great running backs move from team to team while evolving into NFL stars – and he never wanted to be one of them.

Loyal to the San Francisco 49ers since the day they drafted him in 2005 in the third round out of Miami, Gore hoped to stay put with the same franchise for the long haul, for his career.

Gore agreed Tuesday to the $21 million deal, with $13.5 million in guaranteed money. In what was to be the final year of his contract, Gore had hoped to land a new deal before the Niners’ Sept. 11 season opener at home against the defending NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks – and he got it.