Ellis Simms is part of Everton's squad for the USA as they take in a pre-season tour.
The English Premier League side struggled last season as they narrowly escaped the drop to the English Championship and the former Hearts loanee will now get the chance to impress boss Frank Lampard and stake a claim for a spot in the Toffees' first-team squad next term. The 21-year-old - who spent the second half of last season in the capital - netted seven goals during his time at the club and instantly became a fans' favourite and key player for Robbie Neilson.
He played a major role in securing third spot in the Premiership behind Celtic and Rangers and a place in the Scottish Cup Final. Hearts hoped to bring Simms back to the club on a fresh agreement but a 'major stumbling block' emerged not over a transfer fee but his five-figure weekly-wage. Everton landed in the States yesterday and Simms have been confirmed as part of the 32-man squad. They are set to face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Saturday before a clash with Minnesota United four days later.
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters f or more headlines straight to your inbox
READ MORE: Hearts star Liam Boyce responds to transfer speculation surrounding his future
It's set to be a huge season at Tynecastle as the hard work in pre-season continues.
The Jambos will be juggling domestic and European football next season with games guaranteed up until Christmas.
Hearts enter the Europa League play-off roun d and stand just 180 minutes away from a spot in the group stages in Europe's second tier competition.
But if they lose out at this stage they have the parachute bonus of a spot in the Europa Conference League proper - guaranteeing six further European outings.
Neilson has already been busy in the transfer market adding the likes of Alan Forrest, Kye Rowles, Lewis Neilson, Alex Cochrane and Jorge Grant to his squad. He has been vocal on a number of occasions over his desire to add another striker. He would love nothing more than a return to the capital for Simms while Lawrence Shankland is another name to be mentioned after the duo worked together at Dundee United.
Everton USA squad in full: Allan, Asmir Begovic, Nathan Broadhead, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman, Billy Crellin, Tom Davies, Dele, Lewis Dobbin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Ben Godfrey, Andre Gomes, Anthony Gordon, Demarai Gray, Mason Holgate, Alex Iwobi, Michael Keane, Zan-Luk Leban, Stanley Mills, Yerry Mina, Vitalii Mykolenko, Niels Nkounkou, Nathan Patterson, Jordan Pickford, Isaac Price, Salomon Rondon, Ellis Simms, James Tarkowski, Andros Townsend (rehab), Lewis Warrington, Reece Welch.
READ NEXT:
- Kye Rowles' Hearts role detailed as Robbie Neilson pinpoints position in line-up
- Robbie Neilson opens up on the Hearts plan to prepare side for European adventure
- Ben Woodburn confirms next move after Liverpool exit and Hearts loan as he could become defender
- Hearts boss Robbie Neilson explains friendship with Hibs gaffer Lee Johnson as he fires warning
