Basketball: Rodman signs for the Bulls

Dennis Rodman, who has become as known for his ever-changing hair colour, his extensive tattoos, his offbeat behaviour and dating Madonna as for his skills at the basket, will be pulling down rebounds for the Chicago Bulls in future.

The Bulls signed the controversial power forward, the league's leading rebounder the past four years, from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for back-up centre Will Purdue yesterday.

Despite his on-court talents, Rodman spent a tumultuous two seasons with the Spurs in which he has been suspended numerous times by head coach Bob Hill for missing practices and "conduct detrimental to the team."

Rodman, who averaged 16.8 rebounds and 7.1 points in 49 games last season, has also suggested that he was willing to sit out the season unless the Spurs agreed to renegotiate his contract. The last straw may have come when Rodman criticised the team management and his team-mates in a radio interview.

The addition of Rodman to a side that already boasts Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen elevates the Bulls to strong title contenders and Eastern Conference co-favourites with Orlando Magic.