Hearts sign Marcel Langer from Schalke 04 - plus Mamadou Thiam latest

Marcel Langer has joined Hearts from Schalke 04. Pic: Heart of Midlothian FC

Hearts have completed the signing of German midfielder Marcel Langer from Schalke 04 - and are still working on a deal for Barnsley forward Mamadou Thiam.

Langer arrived in Edinburgh last night and completed a medical examination after agreeing personal terms. The 22-year-old signed an initial six-month contract and could make his Hearts debut against St Johnstone on Saturday.

Officials at Tynecastle Park are also trying to negotiate Thiam's capture before tonight's transfer deadline. He is looking to move to play regularly and has explored options in England but is intrigued by the possibility of working with former Barnsley manager Stendel again.

Hearts have put forward a loan deal for the versatile Senegalese attacker who can play at centre-forward, out wide or as a second striker.

Stendel previously coached Langer as a teenager in the Hannover youth academy and rates him highly. He was in the final six months of his Schalke contract but had dropped into their reserve squad after falling out of favour with first-team coach David Wagner.

He joins Hearts seeking regular game time in his preferred holding midfield role, although he can also play at full-back. Langer earned a reputation in Germany as an energetic and robust player who likes to pass quickly from deep.

"It was not really a hard decision to make," he told the Hearts website. "I like adventures. It's a new country, a new city and a new language. I’m looking forward to it and I’m happy.

"When I played in the youths for Hannover 96 I worked with the manager in the Under-19s. We were really successful. We won the Under-19 German Cup. It was a good connection.

"The manager called me before New Year’s Eve and yes, I was really direct – I want to do this. Then we talked with Schalke and the club and now I am here.

"I watched the highlights from the Rangers game and the atmosphere was crazy. For sure, I’m looking forward to playing here in front of 18,000. Normally we play in front of 5,000 in Germany so this is different. This is nice."

Stendel has already added two internationalists to his forward line in Liam Boyce and Donis Avdijaj, with midfielder Toby Sibbick also arriving on loan from Barnsley.