VIDEO: Kyrie Irving Says Goodbye, Thanks Cleveland

After the Boston Celtics agreed to throw in a 2020 second-round draft pick from the Miami Heat, the deal was done. Kyrie Irving is now a Celtic. He took to Instagram to bid the city farewell:

"My special thank you to Cleveland" *Link in Bio. My love extends way beyond the court I have for Cleveland and it will always be a place thats special because of the great people and experiences. The Ups and downs, we stand and fight no matter what the circumstances are, and that's what being in Cleveland embodies, it is all Love and a whole lotta pride. To the incredible individuals I've met who support the Cleveland organization and help allow us as Players to feel a special bond to the State/City and shared countless moments with, keep being YOU and know that my appreciation is eternal. Thank you From my whole being for being there as I was a 19 year old kid coming into the league, to now where I start another step in the journey as a 25 year old Evolving man. It will Always be Love and respect Cleveland. "The journey is always the Reward" #KyrieWick

A post shared by Kyrie Irving (@kyrieirving) on Aug 31, 2017 at 10:04am PDT

Irving also posted a video on tout.com (note: video may work better on mobile). Here’s the full video:

VIDEO: A (fresh-faced) @KyrieIrving speaks, now that the deal to the Celtics is finally done. Thanks Cleveland, says "the journey continues" pic.twitter.com/leFoxAIkX2

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) August 31, 2017

Irving thanked “all the individuals that [he] met” over his six years in Cleveland, and sounded genuinely appreciative of his time with the Cavaliers.

He also sounds excited to be in Boston, a team that he feels is “an environment that’s conducive to maximizing [his] potential as a human being and as a player perfecting [his] craft.”