The 24-year-old striker is one of four players who has fallen casualty at the club in lieu of the second transfer window for the 2017/2018 football season.

Last Friday, CEO of the club, Mark D Noonan, announced the release of the players on his Twitter account saying: “I can confirm we have given four players —Evans Quao, Theophilus Jackson, Joshua Otoo and Cosmos Dauda permission to seek opportunities outside of Hearts.

“They are good men and professionals. With the window open, we feel it’s best to communicate our plans with them directly and transparently. We thank them for their services and will work with them throughout this transition period. Very difficult decisions all,” the statement read.

However, Dauda, who finished the 2015/2016 league season as the club’s top scorer with 11 goals, says the club should have been a little more professional in the release of the news.

“They invited me for one-on-one meeting last Friday, and they gave me two options — to either choose to end my contract mutually, or I stayed with the club while they pay me . I am yet to go back with the response and they put this story out there,” he told the Graphic Sports.

“Hearts releasing me is a blessing because I don’t intend to renew my contract when it ends in September, because many clubs are chasing me, but they rejected all the deals that came and since I did not want to incur anyone’s wrath I chose to stay here.

“All I wanted was their blessings and that is why I am still here, but I am not worried that they released me. I am even happy about it just that I felt a little respect should be accorded me,” he said.

Commenting on his poor form this season as compared to his sterling performance during the 2015/2016 season, the midfielder noted that the working conditions at Hearts of Oak did not make room for sound player development.

“When I leave, I want to go to a place where they will help me build my confidence and give me more playing time because a player cannot develop under the conditions at Hearts of Oak.”

Dauda joined Hearts of Oak from Mighty Jets during the 2015/2016 season, on a two-year deal which will end in September.