Los Angeles ? Sergei Fedorov figured it was time for a change. So he’s heading to California.

Fedorov signed a five-year, $40 million contract Saturday with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, leaving Detroit after 13 seasons to reunite with Mike Babcock, his first NHL coach.

The free-agent center helped the Red Wings win three Stanley Cups, but two weeks ago his agent Pat Brisson said Fedorov wouldn’t return to Detroit next season.

“I do not have any bitterness leaving Detroit. I enjoyed my years in Detroit,” Fedorov said by telephone from Moscow. “I’m going to miss the fans. They were great to me.

“It’s been a wonderful ride, but everybody in life at some point has to change direction or place or time, and this is absolutely normal for me to change and move on. I’m excited to take on a new challenge.”

The deal with Anaheim has two years guaranteed, and the final three are at Fedorov’s option, Mighty Ducks spokesman Alex Gilchrist said.

The Red Wings had offered Fedorov the same amount of money, but over four years. The looming expiration of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement in September 2004 affected Fedorov.

The six-time All-Star had 36 goals and 47 assists for a team-leading 83 points last season with the Red Wings. Fedorov won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP in 1994 and twice was named the league’s best defensive forward.

The 33-year-old Fedorov has 400 goals and 554 assists in his NHL career — all with Detroit. He helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998 and 2002.