Brighton hope Alex Cochrane can benefit from playing under a former full back at Hearts.
The Jambos confirmed the season-long loan of the England Under 20 left back yesterday.
And the Seagulls’ pathway development manager and former Hearts hero Davie Weir explained that working under Robbie Neilson played a big part in the decision to send Cochrane to Tynecastle.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Royal Union Saint Galloise in Belgium so a new league in a new country won’t be an alien experience to him when it comes to the Scottish Premiership.
Cochrane will provide competition to first choice left back Stephen Kingsley, although Neilson admitted that his addition can also allow them to more easily switch to a back three.
Kingsley is equally comfortable playing at left centre back, and Cochrane can then slot in at left wing back rather than taking Andy Halliday out of midfield.
But Weir revealed that learning the track of the full back trade from Neilson was what appealed to Albion about the deal.
He said: “Alex had a really positive spell in Belgium last season and showed how well he can adapt to a different culture and club.
“He will get to work closely with Robbie Neilson, who was a full-back himself during his playing career and will have plenty of knowledge he can pass on to Alex.
“Myself and the loans team will be keeping a close eye on how Alex gets on over the next year and we wish him the best of luck.”
Cochrane himself admitted that Weir himself sold him on joining the former Scotland international’s old club.
He told the Hearts website: “It feels amazing to be here, to join such a big club like Hearts. I’m privileged to join here, very happy and can’t wait to get started.
“I heard about Hearts’ interest quite early on. I spoke to David Weir at Brighton and he told me about the club, about the interest and he said we could arrange a phone call with the manager.
“We did, I liked what he said. It was all positive so we came here about a week ago and loved it. It’s the right move for me.
“The stature of the club is why I picked Hearts. It’s a massive club. To come to a team that’s now back in the top division and pushing with good ambitions, it’s a perfect match for me.”
