HEARTS today announced that Christophe Berra has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Tynecastle until 2021.

Berra, who is currently in his second spell at the Edinburgh club, has been in outstanding form since returning from a four month injury lay-off at the start of December.

The 33-year-old came through the youth ranks in Gorgie and lifted the Scottish Cup with his boyhood heroes in 2006 before moving to England to play for Wolves and Ipswich Town.

Speaking to Hearts TV, he said: "I’m really happy. I’ve made it well known that I want to stay here and finish my career here so hopefully that will be the case.

“Basically, the gaffer and Ann (chairwoman Budge) mentioned it to me and I said there wasn’t really any negotiating (needed).

“I’ve enjoyed every minute here and I’m looking forward to the two-and-a-half seasons.

“Touch wood, I’ve been injury-free most of my career, apart from that one bad one, but I’ve come back hopefully stronger, so I’ll just take every game as it comes and every season and see where I am come towards the end of my contract.

“I’m happy, I’m happy to stay. I come from this city and I started my career here and I’ve always wanted to finish it here. There wasn’t really any negotiations, it was just same as and move on, really."

Berra added: “I’ve loved every minute of it. There have been ups and downs and, as always, the fans expect a lot and demand a lot. That’s good because it keeps the players on their toes.

“It’s a great place to play and we’re trying to build something here over the next two or three seasons.

“The manager is trying to do that and hopefully we can keep all of our key players for the next couple of seasons.

“It’s a pleasure to be here. It’s a family club, it’s well supported and there’s no better place for me to be.”