Eggert rejects Hearts contract offer

EGGERT JONSSON has rejected Hearts’ offer of a contract extension intended to keep him at Tynecastle beyond the end of the season. The Icelandic internationalist believed the terms proposed by the club hierarchy were unacceptable but is keen to remain a Hearts player, according to his agent.

As revealed in yesterday’s Evening News, Jonsson is one of 12 players in the final year of their contracts with the Edinburgh club. Discussions over a new deal stalled when he refused the offer tabled by Vladimir Romanov, Hearts’ majority shareholder.

Jonsson, 23, informed the Hearts board he would not be accepting the contract but that he would reduce his wage demands in the hope of reaching a compromise. He is now awaiting a second proposal before deciding on his future.

“There have been discussions but we have not come to an agreement,” said Jonsson’s agent, Olafur Gardarsson. “The ball has been in Hearts’ court now for quite a while. There have been talks, we told them our terms and they have not answered yet. That was three weeks ago.

“Hearts offered him an extension but the terms were not nearly good enough. He is on an old contract agreed when he was very young. Since then he has played 130 games. People have to realise that he should get a considerable increase.

“We told them what we wanted, they made an offer and we said no to that. We have lowered our demands since then but it stays like that.

“Eggert has been happy at Hearts for a long time and he has been a successful player there. We wouldn’t have talked with them if he didn’t want to stay, but of course it is close to the next transfer window and he can sign anywhere after January 1. If Hearts are not interested, then that’s it.”

Jonsson joined Hearts from the Icelandic club Fjardabyggd in 2005 and has 11 full caps for Iceland.