He's the 17-year-old that has Celtic and Rangers circling with some of Europe's heavyweights also keeping a keen eye on proceedings.
But just who is Aaron Hickey and why has he emerged as one of the upcoming transfer window's most wanted?
With Hearts set for relegation barring an unlikely 11th-hour league reconstruction deal, the left-back could be available on the cheap when chairman Ann Budge looks to cover the costs of the drop.
We break down the background and qualities of Scottish football's next big thing.
What has his career been like so far?
Born in Glasgow, Hickey turned out for Celtic's youth sides before making the switch to the Jambos.
He made his debut at Pittodrie when he came on as a substitute for Jamie Brandon in the penultimate league fixture of the 2018/19 season.
A start at Celtic followed before he was thrust into the Scottish Cup final against the same opponent - the youngest player to start in the showpiece fixture since John Fleck for Rangers in 2008.
And despite losing 2-1, Hickey was one of the best players on the park that day, locking down PFA Scotland Player of the Year James Forrest and proving instrumental in the Jambos' opener.
This season Hickey made 22 appearances up to the Covid-19 shutdown.
What's his transfer situation?
With Hearts facing the drop, it's good news for any potential paying club.
The Tynecastle hierarchy were holding out for £1.5m earlier this season but that resolve will be tested amid the coronavirus crisis and the financial implications of their relegation.
Celtic look like getting a further discount if they so choose - a clause written into Hickey's contract dictates that 30 per cent of any successful transfer bid will make its way to Parkhead.
Hickey only has a year left on his current deal and if Hearts don't sell now they face the prospect of losing him for next to nothing next year.
Celtic's Glasgow rivals Rangers have also been linked and there are murmurs of approval from the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
His father handles his affairs rather than a traditional agent and former boss Craig Levein was trying to thrash out a new deal last autumn to no avail.
He said in September: "We’re in the middle of that just now. It’s been quite difficult, though.
"He doesn’t have an agent. I’ve been dealing with his dad. And it’s been a little bit drawn out. But we’ll get there, in the end."
Unfortunately for Hearts a new deal still hasn't been agreed which has led to all the speculation.
What are Hickey's strengths and weaknesses?
One of his main assets is his two-footedness. Hickey usually plays on the left side but is more than capable of filling in on the right too.
Hickey also likes to cut towards the middle of the pitch to play central passes and underlap as well as overlapping for a crossing opportunity like a traditional full-back.
An average position heat map shows he spends almost as much time in the opposition's half as his own and his tendency to cut inside is evident.
His 82 per cent pass accuracy (per Wyscout) also shows he'd be a great fit for a team that typically dominates possession.
And Hickey is not shy of a dribble. He attempts 2.63 a game and around half are successful.
That's not today he doesn't have issues to work on in the years ahead.
Defensively, his positioning can be a little off at times because of his tendency to push high up the park when attacking.
