"Chad Ochocinco saw both of his dreams realized and an era end on Thursday.

His three-year pursuit of trying to leave the Bengals finally happened as the charismatic 33-year old receiver was dealt to New England for two lower-round draft picks (a fifth-rounder in 2012 and a sixth-rounder in 2013). In the process, he gets to play for Bill Belichick, whom he has long admired.

The trade is expected to become official Friday.

Ochocinco had one year remaining on his Bengals contract, which would have paid him $6 million. In order to leave, however, he renegotiated it to a three-year deal. When the trading period opened on Tuesday, the Patriots asked and received permission from the Bengals to talk to Ochocinco and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Once the contract was reworked, the Bengals and Patriots discussed the parameters of the deal on Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, Ochocinco was on a plane to Boston, ending his 10-season tenure in Cincinnati.

Before playing the Bengals last year, Belichick said of Ochocinco: "I like him as a player. I like him as a person. I like his enthusiasm and the fun he has with football, and I like how he competes on the football field."

Ever since the end of last season, the odds of Ochocinco remaining in Cincinnati had been slim. Although Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday, "I don't think there was any back and forth by me this offseason," in regards to comments about Ochocinco, there had been a couple of occasions where it was evident that Lewis' patience had finally run out."