Prince of Tynecastle: Buaben pens new Hearts deal

Ghanaian midfielder Prince Buaben has penned a three-year contract extension with Hearts - a deal that will keep him at Tynecastle until 2018.

The 26-year-old joined Hearts in the summer on a deal until the end of the season after impressing on trial, and his form this campaign has helped Robbie Neilson's side build up a nine point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship table.

'I'm very pleased to get the deal done. The main thing for me was to have both Robbie [Neilson] and Craig [Levein] telling me that they wanted me to be here, and to get the security of a longer deal is great as well," Buaben told the Hearts website.

'I always wanted to stay here. The football suits me as we play a good passing game. I'm very good friends with Morgaro [Gomis] and we have a really good bunch of talented and professional boys here.

'The fans have been amazing and to have their support means so much. Hopefully they can keep it up and I can score some more goals.'

Head coach Robbie Neilson was delighted with Buaben's new deal, saying: "He's a top player and has been huge for us, a real integral part of the season. The pleasing thing is there's a lot more to come from him.

"We could've lost him in January but he wants to stay and that's great. Prince signing a long-term deal is as important as bringing in new players. It's important that we get our stars tied up on deals and happy.

"Prince has a great attitude and is well-respected by his team-mates, and is a great player for the young boys to look up to."

Buaben has formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the park with ex-Dundee United teammate Gomis. The pair are well matched with Gomis dictating play in front of the back four and Buaben getting forward to support the front players.