Lawrence Shankland won't rock the same haircut as he did back then - but he hopes that goals will follow him to Hearts.
The striker is a statement signing by Jambos boss and former Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson, who has captured the Scotland international from Belgian side Beerschot. It's a return to Tynecastle for Shankland, who spent five years in the Gorgie youth system before eventually starting his professional career at Aberdeen.
Premiership action kicks off a week on Saturday against Ross County and Shankland is eager to hit the ground running. He told Hearts TV: “I was in the academy from when I was seven until I was around 12, I think. That was years ago and I had a bit of a barnet back then! It’s nice that that picture is coming around again for me. I’ve got fond memories. I enjoyed it as a kid and hopefully I can bring success to the first team now.
“I had a good relationship with the manager and the staff when I was at Dundee United and kept in touch with them throughout.
"They were messaging me when I left to go over there, wishing me all the best. Eventually they started speaking to my representatives to say they’d like to bring me here.
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"As soon as I heard they were interested, it made me very keen to come here. Not only because of them, but with it being Hearts. It’s a massive club and I was looking to get it done."
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