Black close to Hearts deal

Published: 25/12/2008

Ian Black is poised to sign for Hearts after deciding to quit Clydesdale Bank Premier League rivals Inverness.

It is understood that the midfielder, 23, has verbally agreed a pre-contract deal with the Edinburgh outfit with a view to joining them on a free transfer in the summer.

However, there is still the possibility the clubs could come to an arrangement over a fee that would allow Black to move to Tynecastle during the January transfer window.

Black's Inverness contract expires in the summer and the deal he has agreed at Hearts reportedly runs until 2012 and could be signed within days.

The boyhood Jambos fan from Tranent is also thought to have already undergone a medical at the club's Riccarton training base.

Black revealed on Tuesday he felt his long-term future may lie away from Inverness, who he joined from Blackburn in the summer of 2004.

Speaking about his contract negotiations at the club, he told BBC Sport: "Talks have been all right, I'm enjoying everything up here and I've loved my time here.

"The fans have great to me, the club's been great but I know there's interest and every player's got to weigh that up.

"I've had a great career here at Caley Thistle but I'm going to weigh everything up and see what's on the table."