Hearts have this afternoon completed a deal for Esmael Goncalves on a three-and-a-half year deal.
The Famagusta striker becomes the Tynecastle side’s third signing of a frentic day of transfer business – and ninth of the January window.
The latest capture brings to an end a five-day pursuit of former St Mirren attacker Goncalves.
(Photo: Rob Casey/SNS Group)
The striker – who with Jambos boss Ian Cathro at Rio Ave – says the opportunity to link-up withe 30-year-old played a part in the move.
He told HeartsTV: “Of course, working with Ian again was part of the appeal of coming to Hearts.
“He’s a very intelligent guy. I worked with him in Portugal. He was the second coach. He was very intelligent already at this time and he made a lot of tactics in training and you could see he was going far.
“I know Ian, I know Austin too and it’s a good reason to come. They like me and I like them also, so it makes the job easier.”
The deal marks a return to Scotland for the 25-year-old, who scored for Saints against Hearts in their League Cup Final win in 2013.
Earlier today the Jambos landed Greek duo Alexandros Tziolis from PAOK and Olympiacos’ Anastasios Avlonitis.
(Photo: heartofmidlothianfc)