Hearts today confirmed the loan signing of Japanese forward Ryotaro Meshino. The 21-year-old moves to Gorgie on a season-long arrangement from parent club Manchester City, subject to international clearance being received.

Meshino was signed by City manager Pep Guardiola this summer on a permanent deal and City clearly think he will benefit from a year in Scottish football.

Hearts assistant manager Austin MacPhee – who speaks fluent Japanese – was at Edinburgh airport to welcome Meshino who told the official Hearts website:

“I’m delighted to be here, and I feel very good about coming to Hearts and everybody that I’ve met at the club.

“I visited many clubs in Europe and I felt that at Hearts, it was the best feeling, with watching the game, the supporters, and the people at the club.

“I felt that the people at the club really wanted me to come here and this was the most important thing when I visited.

“I’m an exciting player who dribbles and want to assist my teammates and also score goals and get started with Hearts.”

As Meshino arrived in Gorgie two of Hearts most promising youngsters were leaving to cross the Forth Bridge. Midfielders Harry Cochrane and Anthony MacDonald have joined Ladbrokes Championship side Dunfermline Athletic on loan until the end of the season.

Photo: www.heartsfc.co.uk

Website | + posts

Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874