Hearts have snapped up Alex Cochrane on loan from rivals Hibs partners Brighton & Hove Albion.
Robbie Neilson has swooped to land the Seagulls left back on a season-long loan from the English Premier League outfit.
It comes just two months after the Jambos rivals Hibs announced a strategic partnership with the south coast club.
Hibs spoke of the benefit of the relationship given some of Brighton’s young talent but Cochrane will be running out at Tynecastle next season.
Cochrane has been capped by England Under-20s and has first team experience at Brighton and Jambos gaffer Neilson said: “I’m delighted to get the deal done for Alex to join us for the season ahead.
“He’s a very highly-rated player with a good pedigree so I’m looking forward to working with him.
“He’ll provide competition in the left side of defence, and his arrival also gives us the flexibility to change formation should we need to.”
Sporting director Joe Savage added on Hearts website: “We saw off competition from other clubs to get Alex’s signature so this deal is a bit of a coup for us.
“He’s experienced first-team football with Brighton and also spent a season playing abroad so we know he’s a talented player with bags of potential, and we believe he is the right fit for Hearts.
“Developing links with established Premier League sides like Brighton could be really important for us in the future, so I have to thank them for their assistance with this move.
“It’s been a long process to get this done but we are really excited to have Alex in the building.”
