Hearts transfer bid for Rogers Mato

Hearts have opened negotiations to sign the Ugandan international winger Rogers Mato from North Macedonian side FK Vardar. The Edinburgh club made an initial offer of £300,000 which has not been accepted. Tynecastle officials are looking at other options as they continue working to strengthen their squad, while talks regarding a deal for Mato are set to continue.

The 22-year-old’s contract at Vardar is due to expire this summer. Several European clubs are also interested in signing him so Hearts face some competition. Vardar are braced for his potential departure, although they are likely to want at least £600,000 to consider selling right now.

Hearts have done extensive scouting on Mato and are impressed with his attacking attributes. A left-sided wide player, he is top scorer in the Macedonian First League with 12 goals. In all competitions so far this season, he has scored 15 times and claimed two assists from 17 appearances. His reputation is growing at a steady rate after he played in all three of Uganda’s matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring in the final group match against Nigeria as his country exited the tournament.

Mato favours the left flank but can also operate on the right or in a more central position. He is regarded as one of the most talented players to emerge from Uganda in recent years and already holds 41 international caps, scoring eight goals. He played for local sides Lweza, Maroons and Proline as a youth player before joining Kampala Capital City Authority FC in 2021. After a brief spell in Turkey with Sanliurfaspor, Mato headed to North Macedonia’s First League in February 2024 with Brera Strumica. Vardar, the country’s most successful club, signed him in January 2025.

Hearts have already signed the Dutch right-back Jordi Altena and Kazakhstani winger Islam Chesnokov since the winter transfer window opened on 1 January. They are hopeful of adding Mato as another new recruit but will not be held to ransom. Other players are on their radar as they look to strengthen an already-potent team which has scored more goals than any other in the Scottish Premiership so far this term.

In addition to incoming transfers, Hearts are also looking to move players out before the end of the month. Goalkeeper Zander Clark is attracting interest from clubs in England’s League One, who have made contact about a possible deal to take him south. Other sides in the Scottish Professional Football League are also monitoring the 33-year-old Scotland internationalist.

Norwegian midfielder Sander Kartum and teenage Scottish striker James Wilson could also move this month. Kartum is out of favour and will likely need to leave Hearts to play regular first-team football, while Wilson could find himself with the chance of a loan move in order to get more game time. The futures of both players will become clearer as January goes on.

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