Accra Hearts of Oak and play maker Joseph Esso have finally parted ways after the club failed to meet the demands of the star player, FOOTBALLMADEinghana.com can authoritatively reveal.

The player, considered the fans’ favourite, was controversially given his release letter on Monday by the club, ending a roller coaster relationship that started three years ago.

FOOTBALLMADEinghana.com had earlier reported that the attacker was unhappy with the offer of the club after he had offered to renew his expired contract by a year.

While the player was demanding for a monthly salary of ₵4000 and a signing-on fee of ₵50,000 for a year, the Phobians adamantly insisted he signs a 2-year contract worth ₵30,000 and a monthly salary of ₵3000.

Esso, a key member of Ghana’s Black Stars B declined the offer, a decision that forced some officials of the Phobian family to describe him as ‘ungrateful.’

The standoff between the player and the club, believed to have started in November 2019, infuriated some of the fans of the club who descended heavily on the player without considering his interest.

Some deep rooted dyed-in-the-wool Hearts of Oak fans intervened and spoke to the player who was ready to rescind his decision provided the club was ready to re-negotiate.

But FOOTBALLMADEinghana.com understands that the MD of the club, Frederick Moore had insisted the player renders a public apology for his earlier decision to renew his contract for only a year before the club agrees to renegotiate, a position the player declined.

It was widely reported that Hearts had reached an agreement to re-sign the striker On Friday as the fans insisted the management renegotiates with the player to stay.

But the player who insists he had done nothing wrong in making contract demands declined apologizing, compelling the club to offer him an official release on Monday.

Esso was among five players who were released by Hearts last week Friday sparking anger in some quarters and sparking hopes for rivals Asante Kotoko that they could grab the talented player.

Esso, who played 14 games and netted on three occasions in the Premier League last season, joined Hearts from Ebusua Dwarfs in 2018.

He was among Ghana’s best players at the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations in Senegal where he netted twice to help the side finish as runners-up.

After his good showing at the cup tournament, the attacker was heavily linked to Sudanese side Al-Hilal last December.