Hearts have clinched a deal with Edinburgh-based Spartans FC aimed at giving top young talent more playing time.
The move follows a Scottish FA initiative which allows players eligible for the Scotland national team and aged between 16 and 21 to move between their parent club and a co-operation club.
The Jambos B Team captain, Kenzi Nair, is the first player to benefit and the defender now joins Spartans at Ainslie Park.
Shelley Kerr, Hearts’ technical development manager, said: “The system…offers invaluable opportunities to our young players at a crucial stage in their development.”
She explained that the system is more flexible than a traditional loan structure and is an initiative that is already a success in Europe.
Kerr added: “Spartans share our commitment to player development. We already have a strong working relationship with the club (Spartans), utilising their excellent facilities for our B team fixtures in the Scottish Lowland League.”
Mixu Paatelainen, Spartans’ sporting director, said: “It gives us a wonderful chance to add to our squad quality. It is a win-win situation.”
