Ray Allen thanks Celtics fans

Updated: July 16, 2012, 1:52 AM ET
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Ray Allen took out a newspaper ad thanking Boston fans for his past five seasons with the Celtics.

Allen Thanks Boston Fans

Ray Allen Departed star Ray Allen took out a full-page ad in the Boston Globe on Sunday to thank fans for their support during his five years with the Celtics. PDF

The full-page ad ran in the Boston Globe on Sunday, four days after Allen officially joined the rival Miami Heat as a free agent.

"For the past five years, my family and I took great pride in calling Boston home," Allen said in the ad. "We have loved living in this city, being members of the Celtics family and being part of your community. These memories will be cherished forever.

"From my heart, THANK YOU Boston for this incredible journey."

Allen signed a three-year with the Heat but accepted half the yearly salary that the Celtics had offered. Multiple league sources said the veteran shooting guard struggled through a deteriorating relationship with Boston point guard Rajon Rondo and also became frustrated this past season when the Celtics offered him in trade talks.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge publicly addressed Allen's departure Saturday, saying that Boston wanted Allen back but that the 10-time All-Star "chose to go to Miami."

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