Alexander Schwolow has sent a simple, but heartfelt, message to Hearts’ fans on the eve of his departure: “Thank-you.”
The popular German arrived at the start of last season and was a key figure as the Jambos surged to the top of the William Hill Premiership.
Sadly, his wife and family have not settled in Scotland’s capital and he will join Bundesliga side Mainz 05 on August 1.
The Wiesbaden-born player leaves with the best wishes of everybody at Hearts and the club have wished him all the best for his future career.
The Gorgie club agreed to the request of the 34-year-old to leave given the arrival of 6ft 6in Belgian stopper, Beau Reus.
But Schwolow told a press briefing at Tynecastle on the eve of the club’s Champions League, second round, second-leg, qualifier, with Austrian combine, Sturm Graz, of his gratitude for the welcome he received from the club and the fans.
Schwolow, who played in the 4-0 first-leg defeat in Austria, revealed that fans in his local supermarket have been keen to shake his hand and say thank-you for being part of the club.
Now, it is his turn and he said: “I must say, in general, it was not a sporting decision (to leave). I felt completely happy at Hearts from the moment I came here, the welcome from everybody was amazing. It was so much fun to play here.
“I liked everybody, starting from the locker room to the fans, everybody, like I said, it was a family decision. I am not only a football player but a husband and a father and I just felt for my family. They could not settle as I would have liked, it so it was a tough decision for us to go back home.”
He is returning close to his home town In Germany and there he has all the support his family needs, but he said: “I will be forever grateful for the understanding (from Hearts).”
Overall, he summed up last season, when Hearts were runners-up in the title race but qualified for the Champions League, as “amazing”.
He recalled clashes with the Old Firm, and said he has so many “nice stories and experiences” to look back on. Reflecting on last year’s squad, he added: “It was such a good group and it (the last day at Celtic Park) still hurts, but it was mabey the most enjoyable season of my life.”
He knew nothing of Hearts before he arrived and Schwolow admitted to not following Scottish football before the interest from the Tynecastle team.
He added: “It was an amazing atmosphere at Tynecastle and it made the decision (to come here) easy. I did not regret it.”
Of last week’s heavy defeat in Austria, he said: “We want to present ourselves better than last week. We have to do better on the pitch.
“We could have scored and we conceded at least one ot two goals too much, and we should just focus on small details and scoring a goal. Build up from there.
“At Tynecastle, a lot of things can happen, but we should just take it step by step. We want a good game tomorrow (on Tuesday) and that is where the focus is on.”
THREE OF A KIND: Beau Reus, Zander Clark and Alexander Schwolow in training at Riccarton ahead of the club’s Champions League tie. Picture Nigel Duncan
