Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas has signed a contract that will keep him at Tynecastle until the summer of 2013.
The Lithuania international has been on loan from Kaunas for four years and his contract with his parent club had been due to expire next month.
Zaliukas was not allowed to play after refusing the club's initial offer but he returned last month after a deal was agreed in principle and he is delighted to complete the formalities.
Zaliukas told Hearts News: "I am very happy to have signed a new contract with Hearts. I am happy that I don't have to think about this any more. My head is clear and all I want to do is focus on my football now, keep learning and improving as a player and try to bring more success to Hearts."
Zaliukas, who turned 27 on Wednesday, was missing for two months of the season amid injury and then his contract impasse. But he has helped Hearts keep five clean sheets in the seven games he has played, with the team collecting 16 of their 20 Clydesdale Bank Premier League points in those matches.
He added: "We had a great result last night against Celtic which followed the win over Hibs on Sunday so it has been a special week for me."
There was further positive news for Hearts today when shareholders voted in favour of a debt for equity scheme at an extraordinary general meeting.
Parent company UBIG has converted £10million of debt into shares to take the Lithuanian-based ownership of the club past the 98% mark. The club`s most recent accounts showed they were £34.8million in debt.
Meanwhile, Kevin Kyle was taken by surprise by his call-up for Scotland's friendly against the Faroe Islands next Tuesday.
Kyle said: "I am very surprised but also pleased. Hopefully I can get an opportunity and do the club proud in Aberdeen."
Source: PA
