MIAMI Heat star Dwyane Wade is going home, making what he called “an extremely emotional and tough decision” Wednesday night to leave the Miami Heat after 13 seasons and sign with the Chicago Bulls.

    The 12-time All-Star, who won three titles during his tenure in Miami, will sign a two-year deal with the Bulls, one that will pay him about US$47 million. Miami had offered US$40 million over two years for Wade to stay.

    “This was not an easy decision, but I feel I have made the right choice for myself and my family,” Wade wrote in a letter to Miami.

    The Heat spoke with him Wednesday in New York in an effort to keep him, the same day that Wade also took meetings with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets.

    “Watching the Bulls growing up inspired me at an early age to pursue my dream of becoming a basketball player,” Wade wrote in the letter. “My most treasured memories were watching my dad play basketball on the courts of Fermi Elementary School and developing my game at the Blue Island Recreation Center. I have never forgotten where I came from and I am thankful to have an opportunity to play for the team that first fueled my love of the game.”

    Wade, 34, joins a Bulls team that has a new point guard in Rajon Rondo — who Wade has had some on-court heated moments with in the past — and All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler.

    Of the 14 players who appeared in the 2014 NBA Finals for Miami, only Chris Bosh is under contract with the Heat for next season.(SD-Agencies)