Hearts of Oak legend, Bernard Dong Bortey has finally revealed how he nearly joined Asante Kotoko at the peak of his career.

There were wide reports that the Porcupine Warriors had hijacked the winger from their rivals, with rumors rife that Bortey had even accepted a signing on fee.

But the much-publicized deal never materialized with many Kotoko supporters still enraged that Bortey swindled their club.

However, revisiting the issue on GTV on Sunday, the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup winners disclosed how his deal to Kotoko unfolded and ultimately failed to materialize.

According to Dong Bortey, he returned to Ghana from a trial in China to play for Hearts of Oak but issues with his contract delayed which resulted in a hijack from Asante Kotoko.

The player explained that he refunded the singing on fee to the Porcupines after Hearts of Oak signed a deal with him.

“Kotoko gave me a signing on fee and I accepted but when Hearts of Oak came with their offer, I refunded their (Kotoko’s) money to them,” the four-time Ghana Premier League winner said.

He added, “Herbert said he as taking me to Kumasi so he gave me a car which is the Opel, GHC500 and a mobile phone which I used in Kumasi before sorting out my family.”

“By then I was a small boy so I left the money with my family because the money was huge. So later when Hearts came they asked where the money which Kotoko had offered me and I told them I haven’t spent it,” Dong Bortey said.

Despite refunding the transfer fee, Dong Bortey revealed that he was arranged before a court where the former Kotoko Chairman prayed the court to sentence him to ten years in jail.

“They (Kotoko) went to report me at a station in Osu and I informed the inspector that I haven’t spent the money. We proceeded to court at Osu where I informed the chamber that I had refunded their money and items back to them,” the 2002 Ghana Premier League joint-top scorer said.

He added, “Herbert was asked why he wanted me to be arrested where he explained that his inability to get me to play for Kotoko is the issue not the money. If I can’t play for Kotoko then I shouldn’t play for Hearts. He asked the court to sentence me to 10-years in jail despite returning their money. So, I don’t owe Kotoko any money.”

Watch video below