Mauricio Pinilla signs new contract for Hearts

MAURICIO PINILLA has signed a new three-year contract with Hearts after the club invoked their option to buy him outright from the Italian side Inter Milan.

The Chilean internationalist was owned jointly by Hearts and Inter with each club paying 50 per cent of his 12,000-a-week wage, but the Evening News can reveal that the Tynecastle side now own him exclusively. The new deal is understood to be on similar terms to Pinilla's previous one but with a more performance-related structure. It could also be extended for a fourth year if Hearts desire.

Vladimir Romanov and the club hierarchy have invested serious money in helping the striker overcome a series of physical injuries and mental problems and still believe he could offer a worthwhile return.

Pinilla has had a rethink on his future after recently declaring a wish to return to Chile to spend more time with his two-year-old daughter, Agustina. He has managed just eight appearances, scoring twice, in two injury-plagued years in Scotland but has now committed himself to Hearts until 2011. The story was confirmed today by Pinilla's agent in Santiago, Hugo Rubio. "Mauricio has signed for another three years, he is happy and is looking forward to staying in Scotland," he said.

The 24-year-old forward has recovered from knee ligament damage sustained during a training session in January but is likely to undergo a rigorous pre-season this summer before appearing for the first team again.