Hearts pay a high six-figure transfer fee as another new signing arrives at Tynecastle
Tynecastle club get their fifth new recruit
Malachi Fagan-Walcott today completed his move to Hearts from York City to become the fifth new signing at Tynecastle Park this summer. The Edinburgh club will pay a six-figure transfer fee - exceeding £700,000 before add-ons - to bring the 24-year-old English centre-back north after a standout campaign in the National League.
City wanted more than £1m for Fagan-Walcott after he helped them gain promotion back into the Football League and emerged as their prized asset. Hearts and Oxford United were among several teams interested in capturing his signature, but the player has now finalised his switch to Scotland. He came through a medical before putting pen to paper on a four-year contract.
Tynecastle management believe Fagan-Walcott could become a replacement for the injured Craig Halkett in central defence. Halkett ruptured an Achilles tendon and tore a calf muscle against Motherwell last month and is facing seven to nine months on the sidelines. Fagan-Walcott is 6ft 2in tall, athletic and aggressive but also composed in possession of the ball.
He joins wingers Scottish wingers Josh McPake and Calvin Miller, French forward Amadou Ba-Sy and fellow English defender MJ Kamson-Kamara as Hearts’ new recruits so far this summer. French midfielder Tom Renaud is set to follow before pre-season training begins later this month. He has already agreed a move to Edinburgh.
Tynecastle officials are hopeful of finalising their new head coach within the next week. They have interviewed the Dutchman René Hake as well as other candidates following Derek McInnes’ departure for Rangers. Ideally, they want the new man in place for players returning to Riccarton next Thursday, 25 June, and are working to that timescale. Several other interviews are taking place this week after the club’s recruitment partner, Jamestown Analytics, put forward both British and foreign recommendations for the position.
Hearts issued a statement outlining their plans on Wednesday as they confirmed McInnes’ departure for Rangers. In it, they explained to supporters that they are determined to move forward and remain ambitious. “The club’s ambitions, direction and commitment to success remain unchanged,” read part of the statement. “Our progress has been driven by a clear strategy, significant investment, and strong foundations that extend far beyond any one individual. Those foundations remain firmly in place and provide the platform for the next phase of our development.
“Succession planning is a continuous process and preparations for this eventuality have already been undertaken. A number of candidates have been identified and the process of appointing a new head coach has already begun, with the aim of making the right appointment as swiftly as possible.
“This remains an exciting period for Heart of Midlothian. The club is in a strong position, and we are focused on building on the progress achieved to date. We are committed to appointing a head coach who can drive further improvement, and help deliver the success our supporters expect and deserve. Everyone at Heart of Midlothian remains fully focused on the work ahead and on ensuring the club is in the strongest possible position to achieve its long-term ambitions. There will be no further comment until a new appointment has been made.”