Isuzu UTE A-League graduates Nathaniel Atkinson and Cam Devlin already call Hearts home. Now the Australian pair will be joined by another Aussie – Kye Rowles.
Central Coast Mariners and Socceroo defender Rowles secured a move to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Thursday.
Rowles has excelled in the past 12 months – an Olympian at the Tokyo Games, and a mainstay in the Mariners side that reached the Australia Cup decider and A-League Men final series.
The 23-year-old was also named an A-Leagues All Star against LaLiga giants Barcelona, while he became a Socceroo and was thrust into the starting XI for Tuesday’s (Wednesday AEST) World Cup play-off victory over the United Arab Emirates.
Now, Rowles is joining ex-Melbourne City full-back Atkinson and former Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix midfielder Devlin at Tynecastle.
“This is an exciting transfer for us and one that everyone has worked really hard to get over the line,” said Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson.
“Kye has a fantastic reputation over in Australia and his talent has seen him rise to the top of the game.
“To get another international player in the door is a big coup and I’m really looking forward to working with him. Hearts is the perfect place for Kye to continue his development and I believe he is someone who can help improve the team.”
Neilson also told Hearts podcast Scares Around the Funnel: “Having spoken to Nick Montgomery, his coach over there, who I know as a friend of a friend, he thinks he can play down in England.
“Championship, potentially Premier League, so if we can get a guy of that level in here I think he will do very well for us and I’m excited to see what he brings to the group.”
Sporting Director Joe Savage said: “We’ve obviously had success in the Australian market so having identified Kye as a target it was a no brainer to try and bring him to the club.
“He’s clearly a very talented player and he has the potential to get even better, and I think we’ve all seen that Hearts can provide an environment for players to flourish, which is why Kye has chosen us as the best place to continue his career despite late attempts from other Scottish clubs to get involved.
“Kye fits the profile of player we want to attract to this club and I’ve no doubt the fans will take to him, like they have with Cammy Devlin and Nat Atkinson, once he pulls on that maroon jersey.
“These types of transfers require a lot of work so I have to thank everyone involved for all of their their efforts, and it’s full steam ahead in terms of building a squad capable of making a mark in both domestic and European football this season.”
