HEARTS are hopeful of securing a work permit for Kye Rowles after agreeing a deal to sign the Australian defender.
The Tynecastle outfit have applied for a visa for the 23-year-old after successful negotiations with the player and his current club, Central Coast Mariners.
Rowles was a team-mate of both Cammy Devlin and Nathaniel Atkinson at the Olympics last summer and made his full international debut for the Socceroos in Wednesday’s 2-1 friendly win over Jordan.
Having previously secured work permits for Devlin and Atkinson, Hearts are familiar with the bureaucratic process and are optimistic of cutting through red tape to finalise their capture of a third player from Down Under in the space of a year.
Midfielder Devlin quickly became a firm fans’ favourite after joining the Jambos last summer, whilst Atkinson has been a consistent performer at wing-back since his arrival in January.
Hearts will pay Mariners a fee for left-sided Rowles, who follows the signing of winger Alan Forrest and will help plug the gap left in defence by the departure of John Souttar for Rangers.
Meanwhile, Liverpool attacker Ben Woodburn is reportedly 'open' to a return to Tynecastle this summer - this time on a permanent deal.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at the capital and aided his team's cause with three goals and two assists in 30 appearances.
The Anfield academy product is out of contract this summer and the Liverpool Echo report that Woodburn is 'open' to signing a deal with Hearts.
