MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Cassel was one day away from hitting the free agent market and fielding offers from other suitors. Then the Minnesota Vikings swooped in at the last minute. The Vikings agreed to terms with Cassel on Friday on a deal that will keep him in Minnesota, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made. Terms of the deal, which was first reported by NFL Network, were not immediately available. The move helps solidify the Vikings shaky quarterback situation. The team used a musical chairs approach to the position last season, rotating Christian Ponder and Cassel, and even starting Josh Freeman for one game during a miserable 5-10-1 season. Cassel was by far the most effective of the three, going 3-3 in his six starts and being on the field at the end of all five of the teams victories. He completed 60.2 per cent of his passes for 1,807 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions after signing as a free agent from the Kansas City Chiefs. But he opted out of the final year of his two-year deal in February, and there was concern Cassel would choose to move to another team after he was forced to split time with the ineffective Ponder. New head coach Mike Zimmer said Thursday he "would love to have Matt Cassel back if Matt Cassel wants to be back." But the coach was also bracing for the likelihood Cassel would at least test free agency before giving the Vikings an answer. "Hes got a bunch of pretty girls looking at him right now," Zimmer said then. "And he wants to explore and see whats best for him. I dont blame any of these guys. In free agency, I think thats why they have the rules is that they get a chance to go see what their markets worth. Then if they find a better situation than what they think is here, then I think thats everywhere." It appears Cassel knew where he wanted to be all along. Cassels familiarity with the teams offensive players -- Adrian Peterson, Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph among them -- and the way the team responded to Cassels leadership on the field were among the big reasons the Vikings wanted him back. The agreement would appear to make Cassel the front-runner to be the starter when the 2014 season opens with new offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner calling the plays. Ponder is still on the roster, but his performance over his first three seasons has inspired little confidence among his teammates. The Vikings have the eighth overall pick in the upcoming draft, and there remains a strong possibility they will select someone to be the teams quarterback of the future. But keeping Cassel in the fold will reduce the pressure on the team to start a rookie. "It all depends, but what I want to do is play the best guy," Zimmer said. "I dont care if hes a rookie, if hes a veteran, if hes a returner. It doesnt matter to me who the quarterback is if he can win games, and thats really what its about, winning football games and figuring out how to do that." Cheap NMD Online . Sociedad remained in sixth place with Villarreal a point behind in seventh, both in Europa League spots and in striking distance of fourth place and the final Champions League berth. Sociedad forward Carlos Vela chipped goalkeeper Jaime Jimenez after receiving an equally exquisite lobbed pass from Ruben Pardo to set him up in the 23rd minute at Anoeta Stadium. Pharrell Williams Hu NMD Sale . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/. While the pair of Spain internationals return, midfielder Xavi Hernandez will not be included in the squad after failing to recover from a muscle strain to his left leg. Adidas NMD Womens Sale .C. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Danny Granger, Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem are still not ready to play and will miss Wednesday nights game against the Charlotte Hornets. Fake NMD R1 For Sale .Y. -- The New York Islanders were merely content with a lopsided victory.Jeff Stelling and the team are back to guide you through another bumper schedule, while well get the latest from the Premier Leagues title rivals on Soccer Saturday. Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas will be in the studio from midday to count down to kick-off, as well as bringing you updates from the lunchtime meeting - live on Sky - between Manchester City and Stoke.Well bring you exclusive interviews from two men battling it out for Premier League glory - Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Leicester striker Leonardo Ulloa - and well reflect on the midweek Merseyside derby. Well also have features on Fleetwood, Blackpool and Northampton, plus a special dip back into the archives as part of Sky Sports 25th anniversary celebrations. To celebrate Sky Sports 25th birthday this week, we relive some of the most memorable moments from Jeff and the Soccer Saturday gang From 3pm, well bring you the best scores service on the box with updates from the Premier League clashes between Aston Villa and Southampton, Bournemouth and Chelsea and Liverpool and Newcastle.dddddddddddd.Well also bring you all the latest from the Football League and the SPFL, as well as checking in on the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Everton.Dont miss Soccer Saturday from midday on Sky Sports News HQ. Also See: Soccer AM Sunday Supplement Goals on Sunday The FantasyFC Revista ' ' '