In his first interview since agreeing to a new contract, the midfield player talked to the Edinburgh News. Beni Baningime cares about little things. He is one of those thoughtful guys who observes everything around him, even the people. There had to be a solid reason, then, for him to decide to sign a new contract five months after being offered one at Hearts.
English clubs kept an eye on the midfield player because they were aware that he will be a free agent this summer. However, the most decisive action was made by a well-known figure. Baningime signed a two-year contract to stay at Tynecastle Park as a result of head coach Steven Naismith’s astute man-management.
“I’m overjoyed. I consider myself to be a thinker,” the footballer said. “I like to talk to my family and gather as much information as possible. The manager called my parents and made the choice. Such little things have a big impact. Nobody else seemed to be making that kind of effort, in my opinion. I’m glad to be here and I want to be in a place where I’m valued.
Taking advice from your parents at the age of twenty-five? Not exactly. Regarding his career, Baningime makes his own choices. All he wants is family support. He laughed and said, “I’m doing what I wanted to do, but their opinion is very important.” “As a child, they instilled good ideals in me. In my opinion, it also demonstrated excellent man-management, and the boss was kind to do that.
The new agreement expires in the summer of 2026. It cannot be extended for a further year, though that could be done closer to the date. “It’s just two years straight.” Since you are in the same position, I didn’t want to sign a one-year extension. I’m doing it right if I’m committing. He declared, “I’m not doing a year here or there.
Baningime’s choice to remain put was partly influenced by Hearts’ third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership and their certainty of playing in the European competition the following season. As a teenager, he experienced the Europa League groups with his previous club Everton, where in 2017 they faced the French club Lyon, the Italian team Atalanta, and Apollon Limassol of Cyrpus. The opportunity to go to the same place with Hearts is really alluring.
The project is important, as is coming in third. “I believe that the European group stages also play a role,” he said. “We comfortably finished third in my first season here. Although I didn’t play last year, I believed we came in third. There has been a greater difference between us and the others this time. Being a part of and near a team that is successful helps. You want to be in a team challenging for things.
“I believe that over my three years here, we have been a really successful group. It was quite significant. The distance was enormous. We were in third place by the time there were three games remaining, and by the fourth, we were up 11 points. The fact that we are doing so well was one of the main arguments for sticking.
He continues by saying that he will have his own “redemption year” the following year. Baningime was sidelined from professional football for 17 months in the spring of 2022, nearing the conclusion of his first season in Edinburgh due to a cruciate ligament injury. Hearts participated in Conference League groups during those time as a very irritated Congolese watched jealously.
It was difficult for him to miss it, he said. Being present for those two Riga games would have been an amazing experience. I guess the next season will be my redemption year because I won’t be there to miss the entire thing. You shouldn’t miss those games if you’re returning and participating in them. Those are the major matches that you should attend.
It’s obvious that he means business. It’s not all that serious, though. Baningime’s contagious smile and amiable demeanour provide for some humorous moments when discussing hearts. Recall that three years ago, when he signed with Tynecastle from Everton, he told Joe Savage, the sporting director, how he would “make this club money.” For the final Though it appeared for a few months that the midfielder would leave Gorgie for free, he still plans to fulfil his pledge and earn Hearts some cash in a Yes, without a doubt. Specifically, £90 million,” he chuckled. “No, I have faith in my abilities. I think I’m hopefully returning to my best, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Since I recently signed a new contract, I’m not really worrying about that at the moment.
