Hearts have confirmed the loan signing of Liverpool and Wales striker Ben Woodburn on loan as Jambos boss Robbie Neilson bolsters his squad for the new season.
The Tynecastle side unveiled their new number nine on Twitter this afternoon as they paid tribute to the Welshman’s compatriots – and poked fun at Hibs star Christian Doidge.
Woodburn moves to Tynecastle on a season-long loan after stints at Sheffield United, Oxford and Blackpool and will go straight into Robbie Neilson’s squad for this weekend’s Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee United.
The 21-year-old has ten caps for his country but hasn’t appeared for his country since 2019.
Speaking at the weekend after his side drew with Aberdeen, Neilson was delighted at the prospect of landing Woodburn, and admitted his signing would allow some of the Jambos’ younger players to head out on loan, saying: “I’m delighted to get him.
“We are quite light squad-wise and today [against Aberdeen], we have some of the young ones like Aidan Denholm and Connor Smith in with the first team who need to go out on loan to develop.
“We are keeping them here because we don’t have the numbers for the bench in case we need to make changes. It’s hindering their development. Once we get three or four in, it gives them the opportunity to go and it gives us more options for the bench.
“The only options we had really were Jamie Walker, Aaron McEneff and Euan Henderson – who will go out on loan as well. We need more in there.”
Woodburn can play as a striker, number 10 or out wide and will offer a number of different options for Hearts after their promotion back the Premiership this season.
With seven points from their opening three games, Hearts have made a fantastic start to the season and Neilson will be hoping Woodburn’s signing can help maintain their early form.
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