FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots and star tight end Rob Gronkowski have agreed to a contract extension worth $54 million over six years, NFL.com reported Friday.

The deal makes the 23-year-old the highest paid tight end in NFL history at roughly $6.95 million per year over the next eight seasons when averaged with the remaining two years of his rookie contract.

Gronkowski is coming off a remarkable 2011 season in which he set NFL records at the tight end position with 17 touchdowns and 1,327 receiving yards.

The six-foot-six, 265-pound Pro Bowler is working his way back from offseason surgery on his left ankle.

Gronkowski was limited to just two catches for 26 yards in the Patriots’ 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI loss to the New York Giants after suffering a high ankle sprain during the AFC Championship against Baltimore.

The Patriots selected Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 draft. The former University of Arizona star has 132 receptions for 1,873 yards and 27 touchdowns in two seasons with New England.