Joakim Noah pens heartfelt goodbye letter to Chicago Bulls fans

Joakim Noah may be gone, but the memories of his nine-year career as a Chicago Bull will never be forgotten.

Noah, who agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with the New York Knicks last week, penned a heartfelt goodbye letter to Chicago Bulls fans that was posted on the Chicago Tribune's website Thursday night.

"The relationships I made in Chicago go far beyond basketball, and to me that is just as big as winning the championship," Noah wrote. "I wish the people in Chicago nothing but the best and I hope we can all continue to be united in bringing some peace to the city. 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."

The 31-year-old center averaged 9.3 points and 9.4 rebounds during his Bulls tenure, but he played just 29 games last season due to a left shoulder injury that required surgery.