Hearts transfer latest as player departs Tynecastle and agreement struck with SPFL club
A couple of Hearts transfer updates have emerged from Tynecastle.
Adam Forrester has left Hearts to join League One side Ross County on a season-long loan deal, the club have confirmed.
The right-back is a product of the Riccarton academy and spent last term with St Johnstone. He helped Simo Valakari’s men earn an immediate return to the Premiership and will now look to help County back to the Championship after successive relegations. Forrester has made 36 appearances for the senior Hearts team and his contract runs until 2028. The deal includes a January break clause.
Manager Stuart Kettlewell said: Adam is a really bright prospect. He has played a lot of football at the highest level in this country, including European football, which has given him a really good grounding at a young age. He showed his quality as part of a league-winning team last season, playing across several positions along the backline.
Why have Ross County signed Adam Forrester from Hearts?
“Adam brings a real ability to our side as well as great competition in defensive areas. Adam suits the way we are looking to play, and importantly has shown a real appetite to come here. He will fit in well with our existing group here, and I’m confident he is a player our fans will enjoy seeing in a Ross County shirt.”
Meanwhile, Hearts have agreed a co-operation agreement with League One club East Fife. The Jambos already have similar agreements in place with Stenhousemuir, Edinburgh City and Bonnyrigg Rose across the lower leagues and now one has been struck with Dick Campbell’s team.
Co-operation loans were introduced by the Scottish FA last season and allows the free movement of young talents between parent clubs and the sides they come to terms with. 17-year-old forward Connor Dow heads to Bayview as part of the arrangement after featuring for Hearts’ B team in the Lowland League.
What Hearts player has joined East Fife?
East Fife boss Campbell said: “We’re delighted to be working with Hearts through the Cooperation System. Young players only improve by playing games. If Hearts have boys who are good enough and hungry to learn, then we’ll give them the opportunity to come here and show what they can do.”
A Hearts statement added: “The club has entered into a cooperation agreement with League One side East Fife. As part of the new SFA initiative, the Jambos have already entered into agreements with Stenhousemuir, Edinburgh City and Bonnyrigg Rose. Under a cooperation agreement, a Scottish player between the age of 16-21 can move freely between their parent club and loan club in an attempt to maximise playing time. As part of the agreement, striker Connor Dow, who scored eight goals in 32 Lowland League matches for Hearts B last season, heads to Bayview on a cooperation loan.”