Manchester City new signing Ryotaro Meshino is close to completing a loan move to Hearts.
The Japanese midfielder was snapped up by the Blues last week for around a million euros and fits into the same category as fellow summer signings Zack Steffen and Pedro Porro : players that are seen as having potential but are not currently in Pep Guardiola's plans for the first team.
With City's chances of landing a work permit for the 21-year-old incredibly slim, a loan move was always expected and Hearts boss Craig Levein is delighted to have been able to convince the player to join.
After coming to Manchester to complete his deal to the Etihad, the midfielder returned to Japan to sort out his visa application after his work permit was granted at the end of last week.
Having given a farewell press conference at former club Gamba Osaka, the prospect will reportedly wed before linking up with his new teammates at Tynecastle.
"He'll excite not just our fans but fans of other clubs as well," said Levein.
"He's an attacking player. He can play anywhere along the front line, is very good on the half turn, very technical, has got good speed and dribbling ability.
"He just likes to run with the ball and take people on and that's what people like to watch."
"I'm hugely excited about this one, he is an extremely talented boy."
