Jamie Walker seals Hearts return as winger signs three-year deal after Wigan exit

Hearts have re-signed winger Jamie Walker on a three-year deal from Wigan Athletic.

Record Sport revealed this week the 26-year-old was keen to celebrate his birthday in the best possible by tying up his return to Tynecastle after he departed it just 18 months ago.

The Hearts manager at the time Ian Cathro dropped him at the start of the 2017-18 season, before he eventually moved on to Wigan Athletic six months later.

He helped them earn promotion from League One in 2018, but fell out of favour in his second season at the club.

Walker, who spent the first half of last year on loan at Peterborough, had one year left on his Wigan contract.

But the Premiership winger has been able to secure an early exit from the club, and is now expected to join Hearts' pre-season training camp in Dublin.

He becomes Craig Levein's third summer signing after he brought in Craig Halkett and Conor Washington.

Hearts winger Jamie Walker (SNS Group)

And the winger said he was very happy to seal his return back to the capital club, saying he was "over the moon" to come home.

He told Hearts TV: "I am delighted to be back, it's been in the pipelines for a few weeks now but I'm delighted to get it over the line.

"This club means a lot to me and I can't wait to get back playing every week.

“It’s been frustrating (the past 18 months). As a football player you want to be playing football.

“I’ve no bad words to say about Wigan. I went there, sometimes things don’t work out and that happened.

“I’m delighted to be back here now. I’ve got over my injury and I’m just looking forward to getting back playing.

“I think the last six months when I was here before I left I wasn’t in the best of form but I think if I can find the form of the previous goals and assists mentioned then I’ll be delighted. Here’s to hopefully another 40-odd goals.

“I’m over the moon. When Craig gave me the opportunity, the phone call to come back, it was always on my mind to return here – maybe a bit quicker than I expected – but I’m delighted to be back and I’m going prove to everyone that I want to be here and I’m going to do well.”