Critchley is happy to complete the transfer business ahead of schedule.
Following the confirmation of a loan agreement for Union Saint-Gilloise forward Elton Kabangu, Hearts sealed their first acquisition of the January transfer window.
The Belgian, 26, who can play as a No. 9 or out wide, has committed to Hearts through the conclusion of the current campaign, pending the Scottish Football Association’s approval and the issuance of a work visa. Kabangu might make his Jam Tarts debut on Thursday at home against Motherwell if all paperwork is finished quickly.
Due to their poor goal-scoring performance this season, Hearts are currently in 11th place in the Premiership, three points and one spot above bottom-place St Johnstone. One of head coach Neil Critchley’s January goals was to get a new striker, and he acknowledged how happy he was to acquire Kabangu at such an early stage of the transfer season.
“Bringing in a player with Elton’s background so quickly after the transfer window opens is a boost,” Critchley said on the official Hearts website. “We felt that we needed to strengthen that area of the pitch, and Elton will give our forward line a new dimension.”
“The team will immediately benefit from his expertise playing in the premier leagues in Belgium and Holland. He possesses the traits of a Hearts player, and I can see by our conversations how eager he is to succeed at Tynecastle. We are really excited to collaborate with him.
Before being transferred to Willem II, Kabangu, who was born in Belgium, began his professional career at FC Eindhoven in the Netherlands. He attracted the attention of USG, one of Belgium’s top teams, while he was in Tilburg. He was transferred in 2023 and helped the team place second in the Jupiler Pro League.
Kabangu made just seven appearances for the Belgian team this season before joining Hearts, so he hasn’t played frequently.
Critchley, who took over in October, is eager to add additional players, thus the Tynecastle team is anticipated to be highly busy during the transfer window. Following their agreement with Brighton owner Tony Bloom last year, Hearts are now permitted to use the Jamestown Analytics database for the first time. The Jamestown stable includes Kabangu’s parent club, USG.
Hearts also announced the recall of 21-year-old defender Lewis Neilson from his loan at fellow Premiership underdogs St Johnstone before of Thursday’s league game against Motherwell.
Neilson, who primarily plays right-sided center-half, has made 17 appearances for the Saints this season, most notably during last weekend’s 4-0 loss to Celtic.
Following potentially season-ending injuries to Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) last month, Hearts are lacking in defensive options. Critchley is anticipated to add new players to his backline, but he has moved quickly to end the Scotland Under-21 international’s tenure at McDiarmid Park.
Critchley remarked, “Over the past few months at St Johnstone, Lewis has gained valuable Premiership experience.” “With his comeback, we can bolster a section of our team that has recently been injured. Lewis is expected to provide our back line more competition and challenge for a starting position.
A-League and European clubs are showing interest in Hearts’ Australian center-half Kye Rowles, thus the team is also prepared for bids.
