Four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace has left the Detroit Pistons by signing a contract with the Chicago Bulls, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Wallace has inked a four-year deal, worth 60 million US dollars according to ESPN, after rejecting a four-year offer worth 48 million dollars from the Pistons, whom he helped win the 2004 NBA crown and reach the 2005 final.

The Bulls are trying to rebuild themselves into a legitimate title contender for the first time since the end of the Michael Jordan era in 1999.

The Bulls have not won a playoff series since the reign of six titles in eight years during the 1990s, losing in the first round of the playoffs the past two years. They fell to Miami in the first round this season.

Wallace, 32 in September, was the only player last season to finish among the NBA's top 10 in blocked shots, rebounds and steals.

He matched Democratic Republic of Congo native Dikembe Mutombo as the only four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winners.

Wallace averaged 11.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and a career-high 1.8 steals last season. An 11-year veteran, Wallace has career averages of 6.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 698 games.

Editor: Donald