Hearts sign French striker Armand Gnanduillet with Elijah Adebayo move dead

Hearts have signed French striker Armand Gnanduillet after deciding not to pursue Walsall’s Elijah Adebayo any further.
Former Blackpool striker Armand Gnanduillet has signed an 18-month contract at Hearts. Pic: Getty Images.Former Blackpool striker Armand Gnanduillet has signed an 18-month contract at Hearts. Pic: Getty Images.
Former Blackpool striker Armand Gnanduillet has signed an 18-month contract at Hearts. Pic: Getty Images.

Gnanduillet arrived in Edinburgh on Monday morning and underwent a medical plus a Covid 19 test before signing an 18-month contract. He could make his debut against Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park tomorrow night.

The 6ft 4in former Le Havre and Blackpool forward was a free agent following a short spell with the Turkish club Altay. He committed his future to Hearts despite interest from several English teams.

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Tynecastle officials moved quickly to agree terms with the 28-year-old in the last 24 hours after ending their chase for Adebayo. Walsall were reluctant to sell the Englishman this month despite him verbally agreeing a move to Hearts.

Gnanduillet fills the void up front as a potential partner for Liam Boyce. His height, physical presence and ability to attack crosses are all attributes coveted by the Hearts manager Robbie Neilson.

He scored 18 goals in 36 games for English League One side Blackpool last season and Hearts want him to reproduce that form in Scotland.

The player’s CV includes experience of French football, six different English clubs, a stint in South Africa with Baroka, plus four months in Turkey between August and December 2020.

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He was born in Angers, France, to Ivorian parents and is a former Under-20 internationalist with Ivory Coast. He will now compete with Boyce and Craig Wighton for attacking places at Hearts.

Neilson hopes to sign two more players before the transfer window closes. He wants to add a defender to his squad plus a midfield replacement for the departed Olly Lee.

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