Kevin Kyle has parted company with Scottish Premier League side Hearts with immediate effect.

The 30-year-old, whose deal was due to expire at the end of the season, has not featured since January 2011 because of a hip injury.

Despite calling time on his career at Tynecastle, Kyle has revealed that Hearts fans may not have seen the last of him.

"I would like to thank the club as a whole for looking after me and trying to get me back fit," Kyle told Hearts News. "I'd also like to thank the fans for taking to me and for making myself and my family feel so welcome during my time here. Their support was really appreciated.

"All going well, when I get back fit, I'll have the opportunity to do a pre-season here in the summer and perhaps earn the chance to play again for the club, maybe on a pay-as-you-play kind of deal.

"That's a wee bit in the future but hopefully the fans haven't seen the last of me as a Hearts player."

Kyle joined Hearts in 2010 from Kilmarnock.