Joakim Noah undergoes successful shoulder surgery

Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg confirmed that Joakim Noah underwent successful surgery on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old went under the knife to repair his separated left shoulder - an injury he suffered in Friday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

He had hurt the same shoulder in a game against the Brooklyn Nets back in December.

The Bulls stated that the nine-year veteran would need four-to-six months for recovery and rehabilitation following his surgery.

Related: Bulls' players hit hard by Noah's injury: 'It's devastating'

Selected ninth overall by Chicago in the 2007 draft, Noah quickly became a fan favorite due to his endless reserves of energy and on-court enthusiasm. He developed into a formidable defensive force and a premier passing big man.

The New York City native struggled to stay healthy throughout his career - playing in 70 or more games in just three seasons - as he dealt with an assortment of hand, ankle, and knee injuries.

The two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this summer.

Related: Is this the end for Noah and the Bulls?

After playing in only 29 of the Bulls' 40 games to date - a period in which he saw his production plummet to all-time lows - Noah's future in Chi-Town is beginning to look like a thing of the past, as the Bulls may be looking to move in a different direction and nurture their youthful core led by rising star Jimmy Butler.