Gerald Taylor's Hearts arrival brought forward as Kenneth Vargas vents his frustration
The Costa Rican pair are likely to land in Edinburgh at different times
Gerald Taylor’s arrival at Hearts should accelerate within the next week as the club push to bring their latest signing to Edinburgh as soon as possible. The Costa Rica international right-back has agreed terms for a loan move to Tynecastle Park but needs a UK working visa. Hearts officials intend to have him in the country at the first opportunity to speed up the immigration process.
Taylor has been on duty at the Copa America alongside his new Gorgie colleague Kenneth Vargas. With Costa Rica now eliminated from the tournament after the group stage, both players’ focus will return to club business. They had been expected to travel to Scotland together later this month. As things stand, Vargas is due back at Riccarton on 15 July to join Hearts’ pre-season preparations. Taylor’s arrival should be earlier in order to finalise the necessary documents for his transfer.
His Costa Rican club, Deportivo Saprissa, agreed an initial season-long loan deal with Hearts which carries the option of a permanent move for a six-figure sum next year. The 23-year-old is keen to get started with the next chapter of his life in Europe after becoming one of Saprissa’s main assets in the Costa Rican Primera Division.
The Scottish Football Association have already signed off a Governing Body Endorsement in support of Taylor’s move. That has been forward to the Home Office in order to process the player’s visa. Provided there are no issues, he should be at Riccarton soon to begin his Hearts career. He will become the club’s seventh signing this summer after goalkeeper Ryan Fulton, defenders Daniel Oyegoke and James Penrice, midfielders Yan Dhanda and Blair Spittal, plus striker Musa Drammeh.
While Vargas will be given almost two weeks off following the Copa America, the paperwork needed for Taylor’s move means he might not have that luxury. Vargas did not feature in any of Costa Rica’s three group games as they drew with Brazil, lost to Colombia and beat Paraguay. Taylor played the final few minutes against Brazil, did not feature against Colombia but then managed 90 minutes against Paraguay.
Vargas has vented his frustration at the lack of game time at the tournament in a message on social media. “How difficult to express myself in these complicated moments but I feel it's necessary to vent,” he stated. “First of all, I want to thank for all the support I've received these days, it makes me proud of the work I'm doing and to know that people recognise it.
“I've cried like never before, I've suffered like never before and mentally I'm down, but above all I'm at peace because I remember that as a child this was always my dream and I won't stop until I get it. I will not let anything or anyone stop me from smiling, my happiness and most of all my dream of being a national team player.
“I will never doubt myself for coming to the national team, for me it is an honour and privilege to be here even if I don't get the chance I deserve. I will work double and even triple if necessary so no-one will ever have to gift me anything. I will return to my club with the same hope to go do things right to be back in the selection and put the name of Costa Rica on top.
“Lastly I want to thank all my team-mates, family and friends because they were always supporting me, to the captains who always talked to me and kept me calm, really this is a family and it's what makes me triple the desire to always be here. Again a thousand thanks for all the support and really nothing and no one will stop me from smiling and my happiness to know that whatever it takes I am pursuing my childhood dream.”
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