Ex-Hearts keeper Marian Kello eyes training down south

AFTER severing ties with Hearts, Marian Kello hopes to begin training with a club in England as soon as possible in an effort to secure himself a contract for next season.

The Slovakian goalkeeper negotiated an early termination of his Tynecastle contract on Thursday and is now free to train with any interested party south of the Border. He cannot officially join a new club until the summer transfer window opens but has plenty suitors between the Premier League and Championship.

Aston Villa are the favourites to sign Kello but their manager, Alex McLeish, has not made any official offer for the 29-year-old. Everton are also keen, along with Watford, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City. Kello hopes that, by freeing himself from Hearts, he can use the chance to impress potential new employers and has decided he wants to continue his career in England.

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The man who took his place at Tynecastle today paid tribute to Kello for his backing. Despite being frozen out of the first team since January, Kello remained fully supportive of his fellow goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.

“Marian’s been fantastic for me,” said the Scot. “I know they talk about a goalkeepers’ union. Marian’s not got a problem with me and vice versa when he was playing and I was out. It’s obviously been a difficult situation, with what’s happened, but he’s been fantastic.

“He’s a credit to himself, he’s a great professional and he’s just got on with things.

“He’s good enough to play in the English Premier League. I think he’s probably been the best goalkeeper in the SPL for the last two seasons. If the move goes through to Aston Villa he thoroughly deserves it and good luck to him.”