RYAN EDWARDS has thanked the Partick Thistle supporters for their backing after sealing a move to Hearts yesterday.

The 24-year-old midfielder invoked a relegation clause in his contract following the Jags’ playoff final defeat to Livingston, allowing him to sign a two-year deal with the Tynecastle club without a fee changing hands despite having a year left on his Firhill contract.

But he posted an emotional farewell to the club and its fans on Twitter yesterday afternoon, putting on record his gratitude for the chance that Thistle took on him following his release from Reading back in 2015. He went on to make 108 appearances, scoring eight goals, in his three seasons with the club.

“I would like to wish all the staff, players and fans and everyone associated with Thistle all the very best for the future,” Edwards said.

“The support to me has been incredible over the three years something I will be forever grateful for.

“The club gave me an opportunity when no one else did. And for that, Thistle will always be a part of me.”

The Australian had earlier spoken about how delighted he was to have joined Hearts upon his unveiling as Craig Levein’s eighth signing of the summer transfer window already, following Zdenek Zlamal, Bobby Burns, Ben Garuccio, Steven MacLean, Uche Ikpeazu, Olly Lee and Jake Mulraney through the doors of Tynecastle.

And he hopes to be switching his focus from the relegation dogfight with Thistle last season to the loftier goals of qualification for Europe and silverware after swapping Maryhill for Edinburgh.

“I have sat down one-on-one with the manager and had a good chat about what he expects from me and the team going forward,” he revealed to Hearts TV.

“The ambition is there on a personal level for me to be in a team that is going to challenge for cups and challenge at the top end of the table, and try to get into Europe next season.

“The fans here are incredible. Being in the stand as a fan watching and obviously being in the opposition is really intimidating.

“As the opposition, you want to try and upset the crowd and you know that the fans here set such high standards for everyone at the club.

“And I want to be part of that and try and match the ambitions of the fans and the club.”

Edwards was hoping to be involved in the World Cup this summer with Australia, but he hopes that the move to Hearts can also boost his international prospects after failing to make the cut for Russia.

He said: “On a personal level, it (the move) could be really important for me to get into the national team, which is something I want to make happen and have been close [to] previously,”

“Hopefully performances now can help me achieve that.

“I’m really excited and happy to be here.”