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.