Midfielder Ryan Stevenson has completed a free transfer to former club Hearts. The 28-year-old was keen to return to Scotland with his wife not having settled in the area since he moved from the Edinburgh side for £50,000 in January.

Stevenson, who left Tynecastle having spent several months on strike after the club failed to pay him, said: "I'm excited at the prospect of returning to the club.

"Naturally the circumstances of my previous departure might have made this move seem unlikely, but I want to assure everyone that I am only focused on playing and winning with Hearts. I am delighted to be here.

Manager John McGlynn added: "I am delighted that we have re-signed Ryan. He is a quality player and can be used in a number of roles.

"He's physically strong and will be an asset to this Hearts team. When I heard he wanted to return it was a simple decision for me to make. He gives us more options and that is to be welcomed."

Contrary to earlier reports, Stevenson's contract with Town wasn't settled but the Blues haven't received a fee for the midfielder.

Speaking prior to the confirmation of Stevenson's exit, manager Paul Jewell said: “Ryan’s a great lad, he hasn’t had much of a look-in here and his wife has found it very difficult to settle.

“They’ve got a new baby and she’s found it very difficult to settle, so once the opportunity came to for him to move back to Scotland, we let him because the most important thing is his family.”

Stevenson made three starts and 10 substitute appearances for Town, scoring his only goal in the 3-2 win at Doncaster on the final day of last season.

Photo: Action Images

WaffleMan added 14:42 - Aug 31 What was the actual point of signing him then?
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JimmyJazz added 14:42 - Aug 31 That's another windfall out of the window then.
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Sindre94 added 14:43 - Aug 31 good luck ryan. great lad
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Yallop added 14:46 - Aug 31 Looked like Duncan Norveille
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cornishnick added 14:49 - Aug 31 Quite literally, a waste of money
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PaoloMaldini added 14:50 - Aug 31 Worth it for 'that' goal.
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LeeCarl84 added 14:53 - Aug 31 good luck to him, prime example of "the grass in not always greener"
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hampstead_blue added 14:58 - Aug 31 Worth a punt but never looked sharp enough. It shows just how poor the SPL is!
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buryblue77 added 15:03 - Aug 31 All those saying what a waste of money (some have said in other reports about this story and on the forums that this is another great signing by Jewell - sarcastically) how was PJ to know that Stevenson's wife wouldn't settle in the area, this isn't the first time that a player has failed to settle because of family issues and won't be the last. What's he supposed to do? Stay here and watch his marriage break down? Or return home, get more playing time and the wife is also pleased. Only one answer really and after all, a happy wife means.....................

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arc added 15:15 - Aug 31 Can we have our £50,000 back please?
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KernewekBlue added 15:18 - Aug 31 The actual amount paid to Hearts for him was £22.50 but, with the interest charged by Wonga.com for the loan, over 6 months, it rose to £50,000 Not a great player, 1 great goal though. If his heart and his head were elsewhere, he would have found it difficult to progress here. Better to ship him back out quicksmart than have him languishing in the reserves picking up his wages.

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Michael11 added 15:19 - Aug 31 Shall be remembered for the worldie against Doncaster, shall be forgotten by tomorrow.
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Steelmonkey added 15:27 - Aug 31 Erm, would any you guys at PR like to sign me for £50K, then let me go when you find out I'm next to useless of the pitch. PS, that's payable to my agent (the misses). I only ask as we obviously have pots on money to chuck around. Seriously tho', just how much money have we dished out to offload players who seem to be surplus to requirements? Ok, so we pay their contracts up and they are off the books, but their replacements still need paying plus the clubs transfer fee to bring them in. Am I missing something or is it another tax dodge for Evans.

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raycrawfordswig added 15:55 - Aug 31 Good business buy high sell low or give away.lol
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theblueginger added 16:07 - Aug 31 Waste of money?That goal at Donny was worth it alone! From what i saw of him he always put a shift in, who has done the right thing for his life in moving back to Scotland. I am slightly surprised that hearts have taken him back, though.....
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yorksblue added 16:13 - Aug 31 Like we can afford to throw 50k away. I'm in the wrong job. I realise we wouldn't recoup the whole amount, but where were Hearts playing last night and how much would they have made from European games v Scousers?
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Dale added 16:15 - Aug 31 "Manager John McGlynn added: "I am delighted that we have re-signed Ryan. He is a quality player and can be used in a number of roles." If he thinks he is a quality player why did he sell him for only £50,000 then?
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TractorBoy666 added 16:45 - Aug 31 So really they made £50,000 for nothing. It was like we said 'here you go Hearts have £50,000 for nothing'!
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willrigs16 added 17:09 - Aug 31 Could have done well but maybe his heart just wasn't in it?
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wrightyblue added 19:09 - Aug 31 My god we are turning into a give away club!
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Talbs77 added 19:26 - Aug 31 What a complete waste of time it was signing this bloke!! And WHY are we basically let all our players, who days before were "good players" go for absolutely nothing or even worse! Settling their contracts meaning WE end up paying THEM. What has happened to this club??!! No loans, then...loans, more cb...then...none....except if were lucky on loan!!
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brittaniaman added 20:17 - Aug 31 It is not only the 50k we splashed out for him, but all his wages too and right through the long summer period as well ?????
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Peanutblue1980 added 21:21 - Aug 31 All the best bud!!!! COYB!!!!
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h32 added 21:29 - Aug 31 ...... who are the mugs here ? - none other than our shambles management once again. Jewell changes his mind and opinions more often than he changes his socks - hopeless and hapless, and will continue to lead the Club nowhere, ably assisted by the other two clowns.
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 21:47 - Aug 31 Hearts is where the heart is!
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