Tom Brady can hoist standards at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Super Bowl levels, according to head coach Bruce Arians.

In an acknowledgement that Brady has not been signed purely for his golden throwing arm, Arians indicated he expected the 42-year-old's arrival to send a message throughout his squad.

And with the Bucs having been starved of success, the onus is not just on Brady to perform, but to inspire those around him to rise to the challenge of being team-mates to arguably the greatest quarterback there has ever been.

Brady won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, but he joins a team who last reached the title match in the 2002 season and who have been absent from the play-offs since making it to the 2007 postseason campaign.

Now Arians wants NFC Championship success and a shot at the biggest prize of all.

He said: "Tom is the most successful quarterback in the history of our league, but what makes him so special is his ability to make those around him better.

"I have had the privilege to work with some of the best passers in our game, and the characteristics they all possessed were the ability to lead and get the best out of their team-mates.

"Tom is no different. He is a proven winner who will provide the leadership, accountability and work ethic necessary to lead us to our goal of winning another championship."

Brady's move to Tampa Bay was confirmed on Friday, and reports say he will earn around $30million annually on a two-year contract, taking over at QB from Jameis Winston.

A 7-9 campaign in Arians' first season was an improvement on the previous two lousy campaigns (both 5-11), but a huge step-up is required if the Bucs are going to show championship potential in 2020.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht, a former Patriots scout, is convinced Brady has not joined the team in a step towards winding down his career.

Licht said on the team's website: "Tom is a proven champion who has achieved greatness on the field because he demands the best out of himself and his team-mates.

"I've known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has.

"He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organisation."