Philadelphia snap up Brand on big deal

MIAMI (Reuters) - The Philadelphia 76ers have signed forward Elton Brand in one of the most significant free agent deals of the close-season, the NBA team said in a statement on Wednesday.

Philadelphia did not release details of the deal but media reports said the 29-year-old had signed a five-year contract worth $82 million.

A two-time All-Star, Brand opted out of the final year of his contract with the L.A Clippers in order to enter free agency.

Brand had been with the Clippers for seven seasons after entering the NBA with Chicago in 1999 when he was the first overall pick in the draft and was joint rookie of the year.

The forward missed all but the last eight games of last season after he ruptured his left Achilles tendon last August.

In nine years in the NBA he has made 609 starts and averages 20.3 points.

"We are very excited about adding a player of Elton Brand's caliber," said 76ers general manager Ed Stefanski.

"We fully believe that his considerable talent, wealth of experience and proven leadership will mesh very well with the style of play of this team and he will be valuable member of this organization for years to come," he added.

(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Justin Palmer)