HEARTS have agreed to sign Australia international Kye Rowles.
The Jambos have this morning confirmed that the terms of the transfer have been agreed, subject to visa approval and international clearance.
The defender will join the Tynecastle club on a three-year-deal from Central Coast Mariners.
The transfer fee will remain undisclosed.
The 23-year-old recently won his first full cap for the Australian national team and is viewed as a rising star Down Under.
A statement from Hearts reads: "Hearts have agreed the transfer of Australian international player Kye Rowles.
"Standing 6’3” tall, the centre-half began his professional career with Brisbane Roar in 2016 before joining Central Coast Mariners a year later.
✍️ Hearts have agreed the transfer of @Socceroos defender Kye Rowles from @CCMariners, subject to visa approval and international clearance. ➡️ https://t.co/L1pJqFuVM5 pic.twitter.com/QPy5CuUk89
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) June 9, 2022
"He would go on to rack up 107 appearances for Mariners, helping them to the 2021 Australian FA Cup Final. Despite losing 2-1 to Adelaide United, Kye was jointly awarded the Mark Viduka Medal for his man of the match performance.
"After picking up the Mariners Medal - a combination of fans, coaches and players’ votes for player of the year - at the end of 2020/21, he would go on to retain the prestigious club award last season after playing his part in getting Mariners to the A-League Finals series, as well as winning the Players’ Player of the Year and Coach’s Player of the Year awards."
Robbie Neilson told the Official Hearts Website: “This is an exciting transfer for us and one that everyone has worked really hard to get over the line.
“Kye has a fantastic reputation over in Australia and his talent has seen him rise to the top of the game.
“To get another international player in the door is a big coup and I’m really looking forward to working with him. Hearts is the perfect place for Kye to continue his development and I believe he is someone who can help improve the team.”
Sporting Director Joe Savage added: “We’ve obviously had success in the Australian market so having identified Kye as a target it was a no brainer to try and bring him to the club.
“He’s clearly a very talented player and he has the potential to get even better, and I think we’ve all seen that Hearts can provide an environment for players to flourish, which is why Kye has chosen us as the best place to continue his career despite late attempts from other Scottish clubs to get involved.
“Kye fits the profile of player we want to attract to this club and I’ve no doubt the fans will take to him, like they have with Cammy Devlin and Nat Atkinson, once he pulls on that maroon jersey.
“These types of transfers require a lot of work so I have to thank everyone involved for all of their their efforts, and it's full steam ahead in terms of building a squad capable of making a mark in both domestic and European football this season.”
