Hearts have announced they expect to confirm the capture of Japan forward Kyosuke Tagawa ‘very soon’.
The Tynecastle outfit were forced to comment publicly on the switch after both the player and his current club, FC Tokyo, revealed his impending move to Edinburgh.
The 24-year-old has spent the last 18 months on loan at Santa Clara in Portugal, where he scored seven goals in 39 appearances, and was keen on a return to Europe.
Tagawa said: “First of all, I would like to express my sincere apologies to the fans and supporters of FC Tokyo who warmly welcomed my return, as I will be transferring immediately.
“I am also filled with gratitude towards the team officials who respected my wishes and supported me.
“Just when I was determined to start from scratch and do my best, I received an offer and couldn't give up on my dream of challenging myself overseas, so I made this decision.
“I will do my best to show you a stronger and more grown-up version of myself. Thank you very much.”
FC Tokyo said: "We would like to inform you that Kyosuke Tagawa will be transferring to Heart of Midlothian FC on a permanent basis.”
Tagawa has two caps and one goal for his country, playing against China and Hong Kong in the 2019 East Asian Football Championship.
With the ‘formality’ of a visa and work permit still outstanding, Tagawa will join up with compatriot Yutaro Oda at Hearts, with the 21-year-old attacker having made a similar move to Scotland from Vissel Kobe in January.
Hearts said in a statement: “Following on from FC Tokyo’s announcement that Kyosuke Tagawa would be joining Hearts, the club can confirm that it is in negotiations for the Japanese forward.
“Whilst we would have preferred to wait until all documentation was finalised before announcing, we hope that this formality will be completed very soon and we will then be able to officially welcome him to Hearts.”
Tagawa is set to be joined at the Jambos by Costa Rica striker Kenneth Vargas.
Agreements are thought to be in place with both the 21-year-old’s club, Herediano in his homeland, and the player himself.
Like Tagawa, Vargas will require a visa and work permit before the transfer can be concluded but reports in Costa Rica suggest the move could be finalised early next week.
So far, Hearts have recruited keeper Michael McGovern, midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof and defender Frankie Kent as the management team of Frankie McAvoy and Steven Naismith attempt to put their own stamp on the squad they inherited from Robbie Neilson.
