Hearts announced on Friday that Olly Lee had left the club on loan. The player is returning to Gillingham, where he spent last season on loan.
Manager Robbie Neilson has disclosed that personal reasons are behind the player’s exit. He wanted to be closer to his family, and Hearts didn’t stand in his way.
“Very amicable”
“Olly’s contract is up at the end of the season and after some very amicable discussions between both parties it was decided that he would move on” he said.
Olly Lee celebrates scoring for Hearts (Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“Olly has a young family and the opportunity to return to Gillingham allows him to go back down south and be closer to his family, so we wish him well” he concluded.
Lee’s contract expires at the end of the season. Therefore, you would imagine that he might well have played his last game for Hearts.
First-team regular this season
The player has been a regular in Hearts’ first-team this season. He has made 15 appearances, scoring three goals in that time. The most recent goal came in the 6-2 win over Ayr United on Boxing Day.
Olly Lee has left Hearts to join Gillingham (Photo by Euan Cherry/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The midfielder has also chipped in with five assists, which is a more than decent return. However, there is no point standing in the player’s way if he wants to be closer to his family.
As Neilson says, the discussions were ‘amicable’, and Hearts wish the player well. Should the Tynecastle club go on to win the Championship title, Lee played his part.
Only time will tell if that happens, but Lee’s time at Tynecastle looks to have come to a permanent end.