Former 49ers QB Shaun Hill has been traded to the Lions. (George Nikitin / Associated Press)

With David Carr officially part of the picture in San Francisco, the 49ers have opted to trade QB Shaun Hill to the Detroit Lions for a draft pick, the team announced Monday.

The 49ers will receive a seventh-round pick in 2011 from the Lions, reports The Sacramento Bee, who cited league sources on the compensation.

Hill spent four seasons in San Francisco and went 10-6 as a starter for the 49ers, throwing 23 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in that role. However, Alex Smith supplanted Hill as the starter midway through last season.

With that in mind, and the addition of Carr, the 49ers gave Hill permission to seek a trade.

“Shaun is the ultimate competitor,” coach Mike Singletary said in a team statement. “He gave everything he had to his teammates, coaches and fans. I admire how Shaun took advantage of his opportunities and got the most out of his abilities. I wish him nothing but the best as he starts a new chapter in Detroit.”

Carr is expected to serve as the backup to Smith, while young QB Nate Davis would get the nod as the third quarterback.

“We added a player at a position of need and of huge importance to us,” general manager Scot McCloughan said in the statement. “David provides depth at the quarterback position and helps make us stronger.”

The 49ers mark Carr’s fourth different NFL team since being drafted with the first overall pick by the Houston Texas in 2002. He has played in 91 career games, including 79 starts, with 14,366 yards passing, 65 touchdowns and 70 interceptions.

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