Five days after he first arrived at Tynecastle for talks about moving to Gorgie, Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty finally put pen to paper today when he signed a two-year contract with Hearts.
The deal, which is subject to a medical, sees the 29-year-old become Hearts fourth signing of the summer following the captures of Christophe Berra, Rafal Grzelak and Cole Stockton.
Lafferty was released from English Championship side Norwich City at the end of last season but the former Rangers, Burnley, Sion and Palermo player is a regular in the Northern Ireland team, with 58 caps and 20 goals for his country.
Lafferty told the official Hearts website: “I just wanted to come to somewhere where I can play football. I’ve got an important year ahead of me.
“I’m hoping to make the World Cup with Northern Ireland, so it’s an important year and I’ve been told I’ll be a main focal point of the team, which over the past two or three years I’ve thrived on and I’ve produced the goods.
“Coming here, knowing how passionate the fans are about their club and their football, it’s important that I was coming to a place where I know I’d get along with the supporters.
“Having spoken to Ian Cathro, the way he wants his team to play football and the way I play my football, I’m sure that we’ll click.”
While Lafferty arrived, defender Juwon Oshaniwa has left Tynecastle. The Nigerian defender arrived at Tynecastle in September 2015 but flitted in and out of the team. He fell out of the picture completely when Ian Cathro arrived as Hearts Head Coach in December and he has now left Hearts by mutual agreement.
In other Hearts news, the club’s Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures against Kilmarnock and Motherwell, both scheduled to be played at Tynecastle in August, will now be played away from Gorgie. Kilmarnock and Motherwell have both agreed to host Hearts whilst Tynecastle’s new Main Stand is completed. Hearts will now play their home fixture against Kilmarnock on November 4th with the home game with Motherwell being played on December 9th.
Hearts have also announced that tickets for their pre-season friendly with English Championship side Newcastle United on 14th July are now on sale for season ticket holders. Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for concessions.
Finally, there was sad news for Hearts fans yesterday when it was announced that former Hearts striker Stephane Paille had died, on his 52nd birthday, after a short illness. The Frenchman played for the Maroons during season 1996/97 and scored a memorable goal in Hearts League Cup semi-final win over Dundee at Easter Road.
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
