Olly Lee has left Hearts on loan until the end of the season, bring his time at Tynecastle to an end.
The English midfielder is out of contract in the summer and Hearts decided to let him go on loan to Gillingham until it comes to an end.
Robbie Neilson admitted the decision was mutual with Lee wanting to return to his family down south and Hearts now able to look to new signings.
He said: “Olly’s contract is up at the end of the season and after some very amicable discussions between both parties it was decided that he would move on.
“Olly has a young family and the opportunity to return to Gillingham allows him to go back down south and be closer to his family, so we wish him well.”
Lee joined Hearts in 2018 and spent last season on loan at Gillingham.
He played 58 times for the club during his time in the capital, and famously scored a stunning winner against Hibs at Easter Road.
With Gary Mackay-Steven already in the door, Neilson wants to bring more new signings to Tynecastle.
A striker is his main option with sporting director Joe Savage being tasked with finding options for Neilson to bring in during January.
