Joakim Noah Releases Farewell Letter to Bulls Fans in Chicago Tribune Exclusive

Joakim Noah reportedly agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with the New York Knicks on the first day of free agency after spending nine seasons with the Chicago Bulls, per ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne, and he penned a farewell letter to the Windy City in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday.

"I moved here nine years ago and quickly got an understanding of what the city was about," Noah wrote. "Hard work. No nonsense. Grind. Loyalty. Passion. I wanted to represent those qualities every time I stepped onto the court and competed for the Bulls."

Noah also thanked the teammates with whom he shared the hardwood and reflected on some of the Bulls' past achievements.

"The best times in my life took place on the United Center floor," he said.

Perhaps most important of all, Noah pledged that he will continue to be a part of the fabric of the Chicago community for years to come:

"

The work to bring people together and build positivity throughout the neighborhood will continue through my foundation and many other great foundations throughout the city that my family and I will stay involved with.

I will continue to do my best to help this city. Chicago is home for the rest of my life, and my dream is still to help make the city a safer place for kids to grow up in.

"

The next chapter of Noah's career will lead him to the Big Apple, where he'll join a renovated Knicks roster that includes Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Courtney Lee, Kristaps Porzingis and Brandon Jennings. 

Noah will seek to stay healthy and return to All-Star form after appearing in just 29 games last season during a campaign that was cut short by left shoulder surgery. 

While he will have to overcome the foot and knee problems that have hampered him in recent years, he has the high-post playmaking chops and selfless attitude to help lift the Knicks back to the postseason for the first time since 2013, if he can stay on the floor.