Rudi Skacel has joined Dundee United on a short-term contract after Hearts' signing ban prevent him from moving back to Tynecastle.
The Czech winger finished his second Hearts spell at the end of last season but had been training with the club with a view to signing a new deal.
However, the Scottish Premier League have imposed a signing ban on the Edinburgh outfit due to their late payment of players.
Instead, he has signed on at United until January and told the club's official website: "For both the club and myself it is a good deal. In January, we can then look at things and see if it suits us both to extend the contract.
"Within 10 minutes of meeting the manager, I had decided I wanted to come here. It was an easy decision.
"I have kept fit training with a few of my previous clubs over the last few months so it is just match fitness I have to get up to speed with."
The 33-year-old has also represented Southampton, Hertha Berlin and Marseille during his career.
Joe Fish
