Town Confirm Stevenson Signing
Sat 28th Jan 2012 21:01

Town have confirmed that Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson is joining the Blues with the move set to be formalised on Monday. As reported this morning, the 27-year-old Scot was at Portman Road today for talks and a medical after the Blues had an offer accepted on Friday.

Stevenson has put pen to paper on a contract – understood to be a three-year deal – but with the paperwork yet to be cleared. He will make his debut against West Ham on Tuesday as long as international clearance comes through before midday on Monday.

Town are believed to have paid Hearts £50,000 with the Stevenson’s Tynecastle deal up at the end of the season and with him refusing to play due to a payment dispute.

Irvine-born Stevenson played youth football with Ayr United and Chelsea, staying in the same apartment block as John Terry when making regular trips south to train with the Premier League side.

In 2002 he moved on to St Johnstone where he made the breakthrough into first team football, before returning to Ayr United, initially on loan, in 2006.

The 5ft 11in tall midfielder, who can also play up front, moved to Hearts for an undisclosed fee in February 2010 and since then has made 47 starts and 20 sub appearances, scoring 11 goals. His contract is up at the end of June.

In December, after Hearts failed to pay their players’ wages, he asked for his contract to be terminated. This was refused but he told the club he wouldn’t play or train until he had been paid, citing stress on his unborn child amongst the reasons for his decision.

A Scotland call-up in November but without winning a cap, much-tattooed Stevenson was linked with Bristol City last month, while League Two Crawley had a bid rebuffed a week ago.