Uche Ikpeazu delivers Hearts exit message with dig at Hibs as he thanks Craig Levein and Ann Budge

The striker signed a three-year deal to move to Championship new boys Wycombe

Uche Ikpeazu has issued a message to Hearts fans and the club following his departure on Monday.

The striker completed a move to Wycombe Wanderers, signing a three-year deal with the Championship club, after being pinpointed as a key target by manager Gareth Ainsworth.

It brings an end to a two-year stay at Tynecastle for the 25-year-old after he arrived from Cambridge United in the summer of 2018.

Uche Ikpeazu has named goals against Hibs as some of his best Hearts memories. Picture: SNS

Ikpeazu netted 10 goals for the club in 55 appearances, including two against Hibs at Easter Road which he mentioned in his goodbye message.

He also paid tribute to Craig Levein and Ann Budge.

The former Hearts boss signed him and the striker became a focal point of the team which started the 2018/19 season so well.

Ikpeazu said: "I just want to say a big thank you to Heart of Midlothian FC, especially Craig Levein and Ann Budge who gave me the opportunity to come and represent such a massive club and I will forever be grateful for that.

“I also want to thank the fans, staff, my team-mates and everyone connected to the football club. I have had some amazing memories, particularly scoring against the wee team… twice lol!

“I genuinely wish the club the very best and I know they are in safe hands with the gaffer Robbie Neilson as he’s the right man to get the club back to exactly where it belongs. Thanks again.”

Uche, who is set to represent Uganda, will team up with English Football League cult hero Adebayo Akinfenwa

Manager Ainsworth said: “Uche is a player I’ve always admired, going right back to the start of his career with Reading and Watford’s under-23 sides, and I’m delighted that the time has come for us to bring him to Wycombe Wanderers.

“We feel he’s perfectly suited for the way we play and being part of this squad will get the best out of him. He’s quick, strong, holds the ball up well and will score goals for us too. He gives us another option up front and no doubt will learn a lot from Adebayo Akinfenwa who has done a phenomenal job for us in a similar role over the past four years.”