Englishman secures a move to Rugby Park

Kilmarnock have signed Hearts centre-back MJ Kamson-Kamara on loan after defender Robbie Deas suffered an injury. The Ayrshire club proposed a loan deal which Hearts accepted and the paperwork is poised to go through to take the Englishman to Rugby Park until 15 January, 2027.

Kamson-Kamara, 20, joined Hearts this summer from English side Lincoln City and has not been able to command a regular first-team place so far. He will get more game time at Kilmarnock after Deas went off injured against Dundee United on Saturday. Kilmarnock are bottom of the Premiership under Neil McCann after suffering four defeats in their opening four games. They were beaten 4-0 at home by United at the weekend.

Kamson-Kamara will be tasked with helping to tighten a defence which has conceded 16 goals in the last five competitive fixtures. He signed a four-year contract at Tynecastle in June after a six-figure compensation fee was paid to Lincoln. However, his only appearance in maroon so far was in the second leg of last month’s Europa League third qualifying round against Benfica at Tynecastle. He will hope to impress at Rugby Park and acclimatise to Scottish football before returning to Edinburgh.

Hearts have defenders Craig Halkett and Malachi Fagan-Walcott still missing through injury, although the latter could return at some point this month. Full-backs Harry Milne and Stephen Kingsley are returning after fitness problems of their own. Irishman Oisin McEntee has filled in at centre-back in recent weeks and winger Calvin Miller has operated at left-back to cover. Kamson-Kamara has been allowed to leave in order to get regular first-team football.

Scotland’s transfer window closed at 5pm this evening, but Kilmarnock submitted the initial paperwork for a short-term loan agreement with Hearts before the deadline. The Tynecastle side made their 13th new signing of the summer window earlier today when teenage Swiss midfielder Leart Kabashi arrived on a four-year contract from Grasshopper Zurich. He joins fellow 18-year-old Aron Benjaminsen, the Faroese winger, who was confirmed by Hearts on Wednesday afternoon.

Announcing Kamson-Kamara’s arrival, Kilmarnock issued a statement which read: “Kilmarnock Football Club is pleased to confirm the arrival of MJ Kamson-Kamara on loan from Heart of Midlothian, subject to Scottish FA approval.”

“The 20-year-old joins on loan from last season’s Scottish Premiership runner-up until January 2027. An athletic centre-back, MJ signed for the Tynecastle side this summer having been identified by Jamestown Analytics, following his impressive performances at Glentoran last season.

“The Englishman started his senior career at Lincoln City, but has mainly gained first team experience while out on loan prior to joining the Jambos. He made his Hearts debut during their Europa League qualifier against Benfica. MJ will arrive at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park tomorrow morning [Friday] to meet and train with his new teammates before travelling to Aberdeen for our next fixture.”