Hearts transfer recruit sets two lofty objectives after Gorgie arrival as new signing sends message to fans
Hearts made two summer signings on Wednesday as transfer work continues.
Sabri Guendouz insists glory and Champions League qualification is on his mind at Hearts- as Tom Renaud vows to give all he’s got in maroon.
A busy summer transfer haul aided by recruitment software Jamestown Analytics continued on Wednesday with attack-minded Sabri Guendouz signing from Beerschot while midfielder Tom Renaud arrives following time at Versailles. The French pair are the latest to sign as Belgian boss Wouter Vrancken prepares to replace Derek McInnes as manager.
Guendouz arrives at Hearts off the back of a good season in the Belgian second tier but is keen for more than the Premiership runners-up spot that the Jambos clinched last season. He’d like to be top of the pile come next May and Champions League qualification wouldn’t go amiss either. Second round qualifying action begins against Sturm Graz next month.
What does Sabri Guendouz want to achieve at Hearts?
“I'm very happy to be here at the big club of Hearts,” Guendouz told Hearts TV. “I'm very excited to play with the big club and I'm very happy to be here. My first step was in the French Ligue 2, but after I went to Belgium with Beerschot, having the same confidence with my talent, with my play. This is a big step in my small career but I don't get scared.
“I'm very confident with myself, with the club, and now I'm very ready for the new step. I have my team with me, my agent, my family, my wife and for me it's very important for the head, for the mentality and yes, I'm very, very happy for this. With me this season, I hope the first place, and now I have the big objective with the qualification of the Champions League. I think I'm ready with the guys for the first game against Sturm Graz.
“The pitch, the stadium, is very incredible. It's very amazing. I don't see the stadium the same in France but in Belgium the same. Yes, I'm very happy to play in the good stadium, the big stadium, the good atmosphere for the fans. I see the fans are very, very full in the club, in the game, but I'm very excited and I like to play for the fans, I play for this atmosphere. The pre-season is very hard, but now yes, step by step, for me it's very important for the adaptation, for the city, the same with my wife, my family, but now I'm very excited.”
What has Tom Renaud said about joining Hearts?
Renaud meanwhile has taken to social media to address supporters ahead of pre-season beginning at Hearts. He insists they will see a player willing to give everything for the cause as he stated his delight at linking up with the Tynecastle club. Renaud and Guendouz have signed in time to join their new teammates on a Spanish warm weather training camp next week.
“New club, new city, same mindest,” Renaud said: “Proud to join Hearts and start this new chapter. Hungry, focused, and ready to give everything for this badge and these supporters. Let’s get to work.”
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