Hearts transfer round-up: Daniel Stendel signs four as deposed captain Christophe Berra departs

Marcel Langer (left) arrived on deadline day while Christophe Berra left for Dundee on loan

Hearts ended the January transfer window by signing Schalke 04 midfielder Marcel Langer and loaning former captain Christophe Berra to Dundee.

A loan move for Barnsley forward Mamadou Thiam did not materialise, neither did Stoke City's proposal to sign the Tynecastle Park striker Conor Washington.

Hearts manager Daniel Stendel finalised Langer's capture early in the day by handing him a contract until the end of the season, which could be extended if he impresses.

The 22-year-old arrived in Edinburgh on Thursday night and completed a medical examination after agreeing personal terms. He could make his Hearts debut against St Johnstone today.

Stendel previously coached Langer as a teenager in the Hannover youth academy. He was in the final six months of his Schalke contract but had dropped into their reserve squad after falling out of favour.

He favours the defensive midfield role but 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."

Langer joins winger Donis Avdijaj and striker Liam Boyce as permanent Hearts signings during January. Toby Sibbick also arrived on loan from Barnsley.

Berra departed for Dens Park last night on an initial loan until the end of the campaign. He was told by Stendel last month that he was free to find a new club, with the Hearts captaincy later given to Steven Naismith.

The 35-year-old held talks with the English League Two side Salford City but chose to head to Tayside to join Dundee's quest for Premiership promotion. He will then reassess his future in the summer, with his Hearts contract due to expire in May 2021.

Hearts' move for Thiam rumbled on for much of the day but in the end Barnsley were reluctant to let the 24-year-old reunite with former manager Stendel. Washington was the subject of talks between Hearts officials and their Stoke counterparts yesterday but the Northern Irishman stayed put in Scotland.

Another Tynecastle forward, Steven MacLean, joined Raith Rovers on loan on Thursday. Callumn Morrison made a similar switch to East Fife and Craig Wighton headed to Arbroath earlier in the window.

Aidan Keen moved to Hartlepool United permanently and Jake Mulraney left for the MLS club Atlanta United. Irish midfielder Glenn Whelan was released by Hearts and has since joined Fleetwood Town.