Hearts today confirmed that Christos Karipidis has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia.

The Greek defender has been at Tynecastle since August 2006 and has played 83 games for Hearts. He has been a regular for the club this season making 34 appearances and scoring three goals.

While he is keen to return with his family to be closer to his Greek homeland, Kari assured Hearts fans today of his total focus on securing a Europa League place for the club.

Christos was quick to tell Hearts News that he fully intends to complete the job he and his teammates at Hearts have set out to do.

"I have always enjoyed my time at Hearts and still have unfinished business to resolve on the pitch before I go," he said in an exclusive interview. "This will be my total focus.

"By securing my long term future, I am ready for the next five games and playing my part in delivering European football for Hearts.

"In particular I want to leave my teammates and also the supporters with a gift. This would be my gift to them for their support of me in my time in Scotland.

"While Scotland has been a good home for me and my family, I now have a young family and the move to Nicosia will allow me to compete at a good professional level while being closer to my home and relations in Greece."

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On Hearts.TV today - U17 Player of the Year Jason Holt, U19 Player of the Year Craig Thomson, Young Player of the Year Lee Wallace, academy director John Murray and U19 coach Darren Murray. Also coming up an exclusive interview with Craig Gordon plus BBC Sport pundit Chick Young. There's also exclusive footage from behind the scenes on the U19s trip to Kilmarnock a few weeks ago, revealed online for the first time!