Hearts sign Australian wonderkid Garang Kuol on loan from Newcastle after the 18-year-old forward impressed for the Socceroos at the World Cup
- Garang Kuol has joined Hearts on a six-month loan deal from Newcastle
- The 18-year-old impressed with the Socceroos at the recent Qatar World Cup
- He became the youngest player to feature in the knockout stage since Pele
- Hearts manager Robbie Neilson said the signing was 'fantastic news' for the club
Hearts have announced the signing of Australian forward Garang Kuol on loan from Newcastle.
The 18-year-old impressed for the Soceroos during the World Cup, where he became the youngest player to feature in the tournament's knockout stages since Pele in 1958.
He joins three international teammates at the Edinburgh club, as Kye Rowles, Cammy Devlin and Nathaniel Atkinson all played with the teenager in Qatar.
Australian forward Garang Kuol has joined Hearts on a six-month loan deal from Newcastle
He became the youngest player since Pele to play in a World Cup knockout stage in Qatar
Kuol only officially joined Newcastle at the start of January, but manager Eddie Howe made clear last week he wanted the Australian to get some regular football under his belt before competing for his place at St James' Park.
'I do think for the player's development, he needs to go and play,' he said.
That playtime looks like it will come via Robbie Neilson's side, and the manager told the Hearts website: 'It's fantastic news that Garang has committed himself to Hearts for the next six months.
'It's no secret that we were extremely interested in him and he came up for a look around last week. He was impressed with what he saw and what we're trying to do here, which is pleasing.'
The 18-year-old will join three fellow Australian internationals at the Edinburgh club
Eddie Howe said of the forward: 'I do think for his development, he needs to go and play,
He continued: 'We're getting a player who is by no means the finished article but there is a lot of talent there – you don't get called up to and play in the World Cup for nothing.
'He'll offer us new options going forward as we look to continue our good form and continue to make progress in the league and in the Scottish Cup, and we're really looking forward to working with him.'
Sporting Director Joe Savage added that they were 'thrilled' to welcome Kuol and that their ability to bring him in 'speaks volumes about the appeal of our club.
Hearts are next in action when they face St Mirren on Friday.
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