Hearts hand trial to Ghanaian midfielder Alfred Hammond

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson will run the rule over Alfred Hammond. Pic: SNS

Hearts have taken Ghanaian midfielder Alfred Hammond on trial, the Evening News can reveal. The 19-year-old arrived at Riccarton this morning and will train with Robbie Neilson's squad over the next few days.

Hammond recently spent time on trial at Dundee and holds an Austrian passport. He is 5ft 6in tall and is known as a strong, combative player with a powerful shot. He grew up in Ghana’s youth leagues before playing for several non-league clubs in England, but is now eager to earn a professional contract.

Hearts will watch him in training before deciding whether he is suited to Scottish football. They have the option of helping him develop within their under-20 squad if they feel he has potential to play at senior level in future.

Hammond was born in Ghana but moved to Austria with his parents as a child and then on to the UK. He has spent time at English non-league clubs FC United of Manchester, Burgess Hill, Three Bridges and Winsford United.