Hearts announce another exit as transfer business heats up at Tynecastle
Austrian defender heads for Germany as Jambos make profit
Hearts have confirmed that defender Michael Steinwender has completed his move to second-tier German side VfL Bochum.
The Austrian will become a Bochum player at the start of next month and leaves after 18 months at Tynecastle Park.
Hearts wrote on social media: “Michael Steinwender will leave Hearts to join VfL Bochum in Germany. The defender will make the move to the 2.Bundesliga side on July 1st for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance. Thank you and good luck in Germany, Michael.”
Steinwender joined Hearts in January 2025 from Swedish side IFK Varnamo on a contract until the summer of 2028. However, Bochum were keen to bring the 26-year-old in ahead of next season’s 2.Bundesliga campaign and it is understood that the Gorgie side has made a profit on him.
Steinwender made 35 appearances for Hearts under Derek McInnes and was able to fill in at right-back or centre-half. He follows fellow defender Frankie Kent, midfielder Beni Baningime, winger Alan Forrest and striker Lawrence Shankland out of the Tynecastle exit door - as well as head coach McInnes. Kazakh forward Islam Chesnokov is also closing in on a return to his homeland.
Steinwender’s departure means Hearts’ defence will be heavily reshaped next season - especially with key centre-half Craig Halkett out with a long-term Achilles injury.
English centre-backs Malachi Fagan-Walcott and MJ Kamson-Kamara have arrived from York City and Lincoln City respectively. Steinwender’s transfer will mean that Dutch right-back Jordi Altena will hope to play more regularly in the months ahead after arriving in January from RKC Waalwijk.
Hearts remain extremely active in the transfer window. Wingers Josh McPake and Calvin Miller have been signed from St Johnstone and Falkirk respectively, while French striker Amadou Ba-Sy has arrived from Rouen.
Another French player in Tom Renaud midfielder has pledged his future to Hearts and is preparing to move to Scotland. They are close to signing winger Sabri Guendouz - also French - as he is in Edinburgh for a medical after a transfer fee of around £850,000 was agreed with his Belgian club Beerschot.