Thursday 14 March 2019 11:44, UK
Hearts defender Clevid Dikamona has signed a contract extension until the summer of 2020, Craig Levein has confirmed.
Dikamona has made 21 appearances this season, scoring once, after signing as a free agent in September.
The Congolese international formed a solid defensive partnership with Jimmy Dunne when John Souttar and Christophe Berra were out injured earlier in the campaign, and the 28-year-old admits he is delighted to extend his deal at Tynecastle.
"I'm very happy because I have another year to show that I can bring something to this team," he told the club's website.
"Of course, I have enjoyed my time at Hearts so far. Every year, since I started playing football, I have aimed to play at a higher level and now I am at a big club in Hearts.
"We are playing for the top spots in the league, Europe and a cup final and I hope that next season we can play for even more.
"It's the first time I've had the opportunity to play in two semi-finals in one season so I am really enjoying it here."
Dikamona has quickly become a fans' favourite at Hearts with his all-action displays and personality on social media, but he believes his popularity is mostly down to his performances.
"I think that if I am popular with the fans then it is because I try to give everything on the pitch," he added.
"The fans recognise that I give everything that I have and I am very happy for that.
"I want to say thank you to them, and I will just keep going and give everything that I have."
Levein also confirmed that the club are interested in signing Livingston centre-back Craig Halkett on a pre-contract agreement.
Halkett is a product of the Rangers youth academy but left Glasgow in January 2016 seeking regular first-team football. The 23-year-old quickly became a key player for Livingston and helped the club to record back-to-back promotions.
