Andy Webster has vowed to take Hearts into Europe after returning to the club he left under rancorous circumstances almost five years ago.
Webster walked out on Hearts to join Wigan in 2006, in a pioneering use of newly-introduced FIFA transfer rules, sparking a legal battle which went all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The former Jambos captain signed a two-and-a-half-year contract yesterday, after securing his release from an unhappy spell with Rangers on Monday.
Webster told Hearts News: "I am delighted to have rejoined Hearts and am very grateful to the manager and owners for giving me the chance to return to a club that means a lot to me."
He added: "A lot was written at the time I left and the circumstances were indeed unfortunate, but the fact I have returned to a club which means so much to me - particularly when there were opportunities at other clubs - says everything I need to say on my return. Now my entire focus is on the future and helping Hearts secure European football."
The former Arbroath player was frozen out of the Hearts team in 2006 by owner Vladimir Romanov, missing the Scottish Cup final win over Gretna, after refusing the offer of a contract extension.
He then joined Wigan a year before his contract expired, soon moving to Rangers, before a lengthy legal fight ensued over the compensation owed to Hearts.
The Tynecastle club wanted £4.5million but FIFA, whose rules allowing Webster to leave were introduced amid European Commission concerns over freedom of labour, ordered Webster to pay £625,000.
The player challenged that in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland and saw the sum reduced to £150,000, which was paid by Wigan, who then sold him to Rangers. The ruling, based on the worth of the final year of his contract, was tipped to change the nature of the transfer market to allow players more freedom.
Webster endured a miserable spell at Ibrox, with injuries and an inability to force his way into the team restricting him to just three appearances. But he lifted the Scottish Cup last year on a season-long loan spell with Dundee United and he told Hearts fans he is better for the journey.
"I come back to the club that gave me the base for a successful club and international career as a more experienced player," said the 28-year-old.
Source: PA
