HEARTS have completed a deal to sign Alex Cochrane on a permanent basis from Brighton.
The defender joins the Jambos on a three-year deal after an undisclosed fee was agreed between the clubs.
Cochrane spent last season on loan at Tynecastle, impressive at left-wing back.
Now, the 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a permanent deal with the Edinburgh giants.
He becomes Robbie Neilson's fourth signing of the summer.
Cochrane has joined up with his teammates in Spain for the club's pre-season training camp.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website, Robbie said: “It’s fantastic to get Alex back in permanently. He was a huge part of the success the team enjoyed last season so to get him back in as a Hearts player for three years is great news.
✍️ Heart of Midlothian Football Club is delighted to confirm the transfer of Alex Cochrane on a permanent deal subject to international clearance. ➡️ https://t.co/qLNGzHx2RB pic.twitter.com/k3CPGPaDdj
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) June 25, 2022
“His versatility on that left side is hugely important to the way we play and I think he benefitted massively from getting a full season of first-team football under his belt.
“He’s a popular lad in the dressing room and obviously there is great familiarity there so I hope he can pick up from where he left off last season and hit the ground running."
Sporting Director Joe Savage said: “Everyone was impressed with Alex’s contribution to the team last season so it made perfect sense to try and bring him back in on a permanent deal.
“He’s still a young player but he’s clearly very talented and has a hunger to improve, and - as we’ve demonstrated time and time again - Hearts is a place for talented players to flourish.
“I have to thank Davie Weir at Brighton & Hove Albion for the part he played in making this move happen, and also our own board here at Hearts because they are backing us at a crucial moment in the club’s history, and we’re really grateful for that.”
