Photo courtesy of Matt Ehalt of The Record.

The Mets made it official Tuesday night, Jay Bruce is back in Queens. He was reintroduced Wednesday morning at Citi Field.

New York and the three-time All-Star agreed on a three-year deal worth $39 million, as they bring back a solid bat to provide a spark in the middle of the lineup.

“The culture here is something that is very important to me,” Bruce said. “Through the offseason, we know it was slow for free agents in general. The Mets were very direct and wasted no time.”

In 103 games with the Mets in 2017, Bruce clubbed 29 homers and drove in 75 runs while hitting to a .256/.321/.520 clip across 448 plate appearances while playing solid defense in right field.

“I’m excited to return to the Mets to help finish what we set out to do at the beginning of last season and return to the postseason for the best fans in baseball,” Bruce said. “We have a terrific group of guys in place and I’m excited to get back to work.”

Over 153 career games with the Mets after being acquired at the trade deadline on Aug. 1, 2016 from Cincinnati, Bruce has batted .245 (141-for-575) with 25 doubles, 37 home runs and 94 RBI. His 37 home runs and 94 RBI in that time led the team.

“Jay has proven to be a leader both on and off the field while continuing to produce at a high level throughout his major league career,” Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson said. “We’re glad to have Jay back in the fold as we continue our pursuit to return to the postseason.”

At the press conference Wednesday, Alderson pointed to Bruce’s versatility and desire to play everyday as a primary factor in wanting to bring him back.

“Jay has proven to be versatile. He played at first base very well,” he said. “That kind of versatility was important to us and will be important to us this year.”

Bruce will again wear No. 19.

Other takeaways from the news conference:

Bruce said even after being traded to Cleveland, he was aware that a reunion was a real possibility. Alderson followed up by saying that they have brought players back in the past such as Jerry Blevins via free agency and Jose Reyes, and that players “want to come back (to Queens).”

Bruce says when Mickey Callaway became Mets manager it made him “perk up.” The two got to work together in Cleveland this past season.

“For me, what set Mickey apart, was the fact that he took the time to create a rapport with the players in Cleveland,” Bruce said. “He extended himself and felt that that was very very important.”

Bruce’s wife said that she thought New York was going to be the place he was going to end up all along.

He said that he has “unfinished business” as a Met and eyes another postseason run.