Hearts star Claudio Braga has confirmed there is interest in him this summer but says he is happy to let his agents handle it while he takes a break.
The Portuguese forward dominated player of the year awards in Scotland after a remarkable debut campaign at Tynecastle following his move from Norwegian club Aalesund.
Braga scored 14 league goals and 17 in total as Derek McInnes’ side came agonisingly close to winning the title for the first time in 66 years.
The 26-year-old returned to Norway this week to visit his former club, where he was quizzed about the prospect of a big-money departure from Hearts.
Aalesund reportedly hold a 15 per cent sell-on clause from his transfer, adding financial stakes to any potential move away from Tynecastle.
Braga said: “I don’t know what’s going on. I have two years left on my contract with Hearts.”
He added: “There’s probably some interest, but I’ll leave it to my agents and enjoy my holiday.”
The striker also addressed the painful final day of the season at Parkhead, insisting he wants to focus on what was an extraordinary year for the club.
He said: “The season was absolutely fantastic, except for the last day, of course. But we can’t forget what we achieved. It was something neither the club nor the fans expected. It was a very good season.”
Braga acknowledged the lingering hurt of the season’s conclusion but stressed there is plenty to feel proud about heading into next season.
He said: “The disappointment of what happened has not completely gone, because you do remember the bad things.”
However, he was quick to redirect attention to the positives, including the prospect of European football at the highest level.
He said: “But we have to look at the positives, at the fantastic season we’ve had and that we’re going to the Champions League next season.”
Braga reflected on just how rapidly his fortunes transformed after making the move from Scandinavia to Scottish football.
He said: “Things change quickly in football and this season, it changed quickly for me. I thought I could do well at Hearts but never expected to be fighting for Player of the Year awards because of where I came from in Norway.”
The striker credited Scottish football’s intensity for bringing out the best in his game, while also paying tribute to his time in Norway.
He said: “Scotland has suited me very well. I have an aggressive playing style and I run for the team. The football there is very intense, but it helps to play as a striker for a team that is doing well.”
Braga was careful to acknowledge his roots, saying: “But I don’t forget where I came from. I developed as a player in Norway. I became more mature as a player here in Norway and have always felt at home here.”
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