Inverness a great move for Billy King, says Hearts boss

Hearts have confirmed the departures of Billy King and Morgaro Gomis

The winger negotiated a season-long loan move to the Highlands after telling Neilson he didn’t want to be a bit-part player at Tynecastle this season.

King’s Hearts contract expires in a year’s time and he is eager to make an impact during the forthcoming campaign.

After loaning the 22-year-old to Rangers for five months earlier this year, Neilson expects him to benefit greatly from his time at the Caledonian Stadium.

“I believe this is a great move for Billy and will enable him to kick on and get some regular football under his belt,” Neilson told the Hearts website.

“He returned from his loan at Rangers earlier this summer and, having spoken to him, he expressed a desire to get as much game time as possible.

“There is a lot of competition for places here and I feel Billy will stand a better chance of playing regularly by going back out on loan. I’m sure it will be of great benefit to him both in the short and long term.”

Midfielder Morgaro Gomis has also left Hearts for the Malaysian club Kelantan after two years in Edinburgh. Like King, he is seeking regular football after spending part of last season on loan at Motherwell.

“I would like to thank Morgaro for his services to the club,” continued Neilson. “He was instrumental in our Championship-winning campaign during his first season here. He leaves the club in search of more regular game time, which is something I can fully understand. Everyone here wishes him all the best in the future.”