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Carlos Beltran helped the Cardinals reach the World Series in October.

(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

NEW YORK — Nearly two weeks after agreeing to a three-year, $45 million deal, the Yankees officially announced the signing of Carlos Beltran Thursday.

The outfielder will be introduced Friday morning at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees turned to Beltran following Robinson Cano’s departure to Seattle and Shin-Soo Choo’s decision to decline a seven-year, $140 million offer, according to Yahoo Sports. The Royals and Diamondbacks also reportedly pursued the Puerto Rican.

Beltran, who played six-and-a-half seasons with the Mets, returns to New York after two All-Star seasons in St. Louis on two surgically-repaired knees. He averaged 28 homers, 90 RBI and an .836 on-base plus slugging percentage during the regular season and enhanced his remarkable postseason résumé while guiding the Cardinals to the World Series in October.

With his 37th birthday approaching, Beltran will likely split time between right field and designated hitter for the Yankees.