Aaron Hickey jets out to join Bologna on Wednesday after thanking Hearts fans

Aaron Hickey is leaving Hearts for Bologna.

Aaron Hickey has said goodbye to team-mates at Hearts and will fly to Italy on Wednesday to complete his move to Bologna.

In a post on social media, the teenage defender thanked fans, colleagues and family for their support as he prepares to join the Serie A club.

They agreed a fee with Hearts at the weekend in a deal which will be worth £1.78m in total. Hickey, 18, will undergo a medical in Italy before completing the necessary paperwork.

“After four amazing years at the club, I want to give a massive thanks to my family and friends, all the players staff and fans for supporting me through the years,” his post read. “Wishing all the best to Heart of Midlothian FC in coming seasons.”

Hickey came through the Riccarton youth academy before moving to Celtic and then returning to Hearts in 2018.

He quickly forced himself into the first-team squad and memorably played as a 16-year-old against Celtic in the 2019 Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

In total, he made 33 appearances in maroon and scored once – a winning goal against Hibs at Easter Road in September last year.

His contract at Tynecastle Park is due to expire in May 2021 but Hearts officials resigned themselves to his departure several weeks ago.

Despite interest from Bayern Munich, Celtic, Aston Villa and others, he has chosen to continue his career in Serie A.

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers – and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.