When Hearts will unveil four new signings - and more transfers to come at Tynecastle

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Business has been done early with official announcements to come

Four new Hearts players will report to Riccarton in less than two weeks’ time after the club did a chunk of their summer transfer business early. Yan Dhanda, James Penrice, Blair Spittal and Ryan Fulton are poised to join the Edinburgh club with announcements on their arrivals in the pipeline.

Hearts will begin unveiling the new recruits starting next week once their contracts at current clubs expire. Dhanda is leaving Ross County and fellow midfielder Spittal is departing Motherwell, both keen to cement themselves in Steven Naismith’s team at Tynecastle Park. Left-back Penrice is moving from relegated Livingston, whilst goalkeeper Fulton is due arrive from Hamilton Academical.

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All four negotiated pre-contract deals with Hearts but their agreements with their respective existing employers do not officially end until specific dates later this month. The first announcements are expected next week, with Hearts keen to do things by the book and wait until players are officially free agents before parading them as new signings.

The first-team squad will report back for the start of pre-season in the week beginning 24 June. There will be more transfer business done by Tynecastle officials in the weeks ahead, despite sporting director Joe Savage indicating to Hearts that he will step down from the role. A new right-back is a priority for next season, with a holding midfielder and a forward also on the agenda but not considered immediately urgent.

Dexter Lembikisa returned to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of his loan and Hearts would like a permanent signing in the right-back area. The Australian internationalist Nathaniel Atkinson was unable to hold down that position last season, likewise Ugandan cap Toby Sibbick, and both players could leave Gorgie this summer if a suitable offer arrives.

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Naismith is not planning major surgery on his squad as he prepares for domestic and continental assignments next season. The new Scottish Premiership campaign kicks off on the weekend of 3/4 August and Hearts will play their two-legged Europa League play-off tie on 22 and 29 August. They will then either progress to the league phase of the Europa League or drop into the Conference League.

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