Luol Deng to retire after signing with Bulls

Luol Deng will retire as a Chicago Bull.

The Sudanese forward signed a contract with the Bulls on Thursday, the team announced. He spent the first nine-plus seasons of his NBA career in Chicago.

After putting pen to paper, Deng announced his intention to retire from the NBA.

"We're very fortunate and humbled that Luol has chosen to retire as a Chicago Bull," Bulls president and COO Michael Reinsdorf said. "He was a role model on and off the court during his nine-plus years in Chicago, and he gave everything he had to help us win. I want to thank Luol for not only what he accomplished on the court for the team, but also for the leadership he demonstrated through his philanthropic efforts."

The 34-year-old will finish his career as a two-time All-Star, averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 34.3 minutes per game.

He was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2004-05 and the All-Defensive Second Team in 2011-12.

"From the moment we made Luol Deng the seventh overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls became a better team," executive VP of basketball operations John Paxson said.

"Luol carried himself with first-class professionalism and leadership, helping lead his Bulls team to eight playoff appearances during his time in Chicago," he added. "We'll always remember his All-Star career and the fierce competitiveness he brought to both ends of the floor every night."

The Phoenix Suns drafted Deng in 2004, and they immediately flipped his rights to the Bulls after making a prior agreement.

The Bulls plan to honor Deng at a game to be determined later this season.