Departing Town centre-half Christophe Berra has signed a pre-contract agreement with his former club Hearts.

The 32-year-old’s return to his hometown club has long been expected with the Scotland international having been keen to relocate to be closer to his young daughter, who is based in Edinburgh.

Town decided not to take an option to keep Berra for a further season to allow him to make the move home.

Hearts had long been linked with their former defender, while Rangers were also said to be interested.

“It’s a great feeling to be back," Berra told Hearts TV. "I think I left eight and a half years ago and it has always held fond memories for me.

“I always used to keep an eye on Hearts results and this is something I have been looking forward to.

“It’s been well documented I have a daughter up here, which was one of the main factors in this decision.

“And there was only one team I really wanted to come to and that was Hearts.

“I am Edinburgh born and bred, my family lives here, all my friends are here.

“It’s the only club I have played for in Scotland and hopefully I can end my career here as well.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there playing in front of the great fans in the new stadium.

“And with the new manager [Ian Cathro] and his vision for the club it’s really exciting stuff.

“Hopefully we can make some good progress, get a couple more signings in and push on to where we should be.”

He added: “As soon as I knew there was interest there were a couple of chats here and there and this was something I always wanted to do.

“I have fond memories of being here, playing in derby games, playing at Tynecastle and Easter Road. They’re the kind of games you want to play in."

Town manager Mick McCarthy initially signed the 35-times-capped international for £2.3 million from Hearts when Wolves manager in 2009, then brought him to Portman Road on a free transfer in the summer of 2013.

Welcome home, Christophe! pic.twitter.com/F0o86VpLQk– Heart of Midlothian (@JamTarts) May 23, 2017

Berra made 184 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues, scoring 14 goals. He was named the Supporters Player of the Year in 2013/14, his first season at the club.

“Christophe has been fantastic for us," McCarthy said earlier this month. "He has been one of the best defenders in the Championship over the last four years and I didn’t want to lose him but I understand fully why he wants to go back closer to home and we wish him well.”

Berra has agreed a three-year deal with Hearts, which formally begins when his Town contract ends on June 30th.

Photo: TWTD

yogiblue added 16:55 - May 23 Good luck Christophe, thanks for the last few years service.
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itfcjoe added 17:02 - May 23 Best of luck - been a fine signing
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Bluebell added 17:06 - May 23 I am really pleased for him. To be back near his daughter is something he has always wanted. Good luck to him. He has been a great servant to our club.
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blueboy1981 added 17:07 - May 23 ........ I'm sure you'll find it refreshing to no longer be playing for a Dinosaur - as a Defender you'll probably be under far less cosh than you have at ITFC. Good Luck and Thanks Christophe.
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jas0999 added 17:56 - May 23 Wish him all the very best and thanks for his service. Regular defender leaves. Frees up wages. Looking forward to a top quality replacement being signed ....
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therein61 added 18:31 - May 23 Happy days Christohe and all the very best to you and your family
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cranky_old_tractor added 19:35 - May 23 Good luck
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Warkys_Tash added 20:57 - May 23 Another Decent CB that we have let go for absolutely nowt! Follow Gareth out of the door..
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Superblue95 added 21:29 - May 23 Warkys Tash- we got him for nothing as well to be fair and since he has been on decline the last two seasons I doubt we could have got much for him anyway. We got two great years out of him so makes sense to let him go now and move on with younger players
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coolcat added 21:30 - May 23 Was really sad to see him go but was the best move. Wish him all the best for the future.
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heathen66 added 21:55 - May 23 Whilst I too wish Christophe all the best, I do really wonder about the clubs finances. We are strapped for cash but allow a current international to see out his contract, not instigate an agreed further year extrension, just so he can sign a lucrative 3 year contract back in Scotland. I understand he done well for us, but he was paid well for his time with us, it is not as though he played for nothing and we owe him. This is business. We cannot afford to let this calibre of player leave for nothing. If it was agreed he would leave, then we should have sold him in January. This could surely have raised £200k as an absolute minimum (and saved on wages). Add to this the shirt sponsor, which if we are indeed that hard up as we are led to believe, why not raise extra cash by getting and independent shirt sponsor. Put the Marcus Evans logo on the shorts if you have to or on the back of the shirts like others. It makes more financial sense surely ???

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