Hearts have pulled off a transfer coup by landing Newcastle United and Australia World Cup starlet Garang Kuol in a loan deal until the end of the season.
The Jambos have had a busy month so far with James Hill joining on loan from Bournemouth with Yutaro Oda making the move from Vissel Kobe, while they also close in on a return for striker Callum Paterson. Highly-rated teenager Kuol moved to St James’ Park on January 1 from Central Coats Mariners but has immediately been sent out by the English Premier League side and Hearts have won the race.
The 18-year-old was coveted by a string of clubs south of the border, including Championship outfit Reading, but Robbie Neilson convinced him to move to Gorgie as they gear up for the second half of the season in their aim to finish best of the rest in the Scottish Premiership and go for Scottish Cup glory.
Kuol has enjoyed a stunning rise after being signed by Eddie Howe’s side and selected by Graham Arnold for the Socceroos squad in Qatar on the back of appearances off the bench for his former club Central Coast Mariners. He went on to make history at the World Cup as the youngest player, aged 18 years and 79 days, to feature in the knockout stage since Pele in 1958.
Hearts fans could now see him make his debut at St Mirren on Saturday. Boss Neilson said: “It’s fantastic news that Garang has committed himself to Hearts for the next six months.
“It’s no secret that we were extremely interested in him and he came up for a look around last week. He was impressed with what he saw and what we’re trying to do here, which is pleasing.
“We’re getting a player who is by no means the finished article but there is a lot of talent there – you don’t get called up to and play in the World Cup for nothing.
“He’ll offer us new options going forward as we look to continue our good form and continue to make progress in the league and in the Scottish Cup, and we’re really looking forward to working with him.”
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