It’s been more than three weeks since the transfer window closed (or slammed shut to use an oft-used media cliché) but the transfer of Hearts striker Osman Sow to Chinese Super League club Henan Jianye was finally concluded today.
The former Crystal Palace striker, who joined Hearts in the summer of 2014 and was a key element of the Maroons surge to promotion back to the Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership last year, has now had his international clearance paperwork completed. The transfer of Sow, whose contract with Hearts was due to end this summer, is believed to have netted Hearts a fee in excess of £1m, a remarkable piece of business given the Gorgie club would have received nothing if he had left in the summer.
23 goals in 52 appearances marked Sow as a prolific goalscorer and the Swedish star was keen to thank Hearts for resurrecting his career.
He told the official Hearts website: “I really enjoyed my time at Hearts and I’m proud that I was able to help the club back up to the top of Scottish football.
“I’d like to thank Robbie, Craig and all the coaching staff for giving me the chance to come over and play regular football, and the boys for being great teammates.
“I’d also like to thank the fans who were tremendous with me and never stopped supporting us. I wish Hearts all the best and hope the club continues its rise to the top.”
Meanwhile, Hearts have announced re-arranged dates for their Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures against Partick Thistle and Inverness Caledonian Thistle – both of which were recently postponed because of waterlogged pitches.
Following their exit from the William Hill Scottish Cup, Hearts will now play Partick Thistle at Tynecastle on Saturday March 5th – Scottish Cup weekend – with a 3pm kick-off while their trip to Inverness Caledonian Thistle has been arranged for Tuesday March 15th with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The club have confirmed that original tickets for both fixtures are valid. Those supporters who can’t attend the re-arranged games should contact Hearts Ticket Centre in McLeod Street regarding a refund.
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
