Ghana international, Laryea Kingston would continue playing in the Scottish SPL after Hearts secured his permanent services of on a three-year-deal.

The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Tynecastle from Russian club Terek Grozny and had claimed other clubs were interested.

During his loan stint, Kingston established himself as a firm favourite with the fans.

Despite a lack of European football next season, Kingston has decided that his future lies in Edinburgh.

Kingston had maintained that he wanted to stay at Tynecastle on the final day of last season.

"I'm very happy with Hearts," he said after the 1-0 final day defeat at Kilmarnock.

"Some opportunities are in the pipeline but Hearts are my first choice - it looks positive I will be staying."

Kingston has had an eventful start to his career in Scotland and was sent off in his fourth league match for a challenge that broke Aberdeen midfielder Barry Nicholson's shoulder.

He served an automatic two-match ban for his red card, and was given an additional three-match suspension in May which the club appealed.