NEW YORK (AP) – Dikembe Mutombo signed a multiyear contract with the New York Knicks on Thursday, two days after he accepted a buyout and was waived by the New Jersey Nets.

“I know Dikembe very well through the years and there is no question he’ll fit right into our system and thrive,” Knicks coach Don Chaney said. “There aren’t many players in NBA history that can change the course of a game as much as he does.”

The eight-time All-Star has been on the decline the past two seasons, but he provides the Knicks a much-needed defensive presence at center – a void that has gone unfilled since Patrick Ewing was traded prior to the 2000-01 season.

The Knicks were the worst shot-blocking team in the NBA last season when they missed the playoffs for the second straight year.

Kurt Thomas, a natural power forward, has been the Knicks’ starting center for most of the past two seasons. New York tried to acquire Mutombo from Philadelphia two summers ago before the 76ers dealt him to the Nets.

Mutombo is expected to join New York on Friday.

“Adding a shot blocker and rebounder of Dikembe’s caliber to our team dramatically improves key areas that we were looking to upgrade,” team president Scott Layden said. “His basketball resume is so impressive that having the chance to add him to our club was something we were not going to pass up.”

Mutombo, a four-time NBA defensive player of the year, played in only 24 games last season because of a wrist injury that required surgery around Thanksgiving. The 37-year-old did not return to action until late in the regular season and was sitting on the bench for most of the Nets’ playoff run to the NBA Finals.

The Nets, currently for sale, cited financial concerns in announcing the buyout of the final two years of Mutombo’s contract, which had $37 million remaining on it. Mutombo’s chances of playing more this season diminished with Jason Collins and Aaron Williams returning and Alonzo Mourning, Mutombo’s teammate at Georgetown, signing with New Jersey as a free agent.

Mourning criticized the move Sunday, saying it showed the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions were more interested in money than winning a championship.

Mutombo’s contract with the Knicks, guaranteed for two years, will pay him approximately $8.5 million.

AP-ES-10-09-03 1916EDT