Aguiar joins Omonia after Old Firm fail to make bid

Published on Monday 8 June 2009 22:39

BRUNO Aguiar last night confessed he could not wait for a possible move to the Old Firm after agreeing a three- year deal with Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia.

The Portuguese midfielder revealed last week that he felt compelled to leave Hearts this summer after the Tynecastle club indicated any new contract offer would leave him on less than half his previous salary.

Despite Gorgie manager Csaba Laszlo appealing for the pivotal player to remain in the capital for one more season, it became clear the 28-year-old would move on and a host of clubs were said to be courting him. Rangers and Celtic were claimed to be interested in the play-maker, whose return from 18 months out with an ankle injury, when he scored in a 1-1 draw with rivals Hibs in October, helped spark Hearts' revival under Laszlo.

However, speaking from Nicosia yesterday, Aguiar admitted he could not afford to stall on Omonia's offer any longer in the hope the Old Firm's interest would be firmed up.

"I am very happy to have sorted out my future by signing for Omonia Nicosia," he said.

"I think I have made the right decision. It is a very good contract offer and to sign for three years gives me a good future.

"I cannot say whether Celtic or Rangers would offer me anything and I could not wait for them. I am very happy with this move and I am sure it is the right one for me."

Aguiar will team up with former Hearts team-mate Christos Karipidis, and the pair could even meet up with their former club as Omonia are also heading for the inaugural Europa League after finishing second to APOEL last season.

Meanwhile, Tynecastle manager Laszlo will meet club owner Vladimir Romanov in Lithuania today to present his wish-list of new faces for next season.

Laszlo said: "I will go to Lithuania. This must be the D-day for me and also for the club.

"I think it is very important to show the fans that we are doing something. We have had a lot of time but we must do something now. I would like to tell Mr Romanov which players we need. We will talk about the possibilities and which players can come."