Hearts set to sign Spanish winger 'Suso'

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 09:44

HEARTS are close to completing the signing of Spanish winger Jesus Manuel Santana Abreu after the player underwent a medical in Edinburgh yesterday.

Known as Suso, the 24-year-old is available on freedom of contract after scoring nine goals last season for UD Fuerteventura, the Canary Islands club which plays in the third tier of Spanish football (Segunda B).

Sources close to Suso said this morning that the deal with Hearts was "99 per cent" done with official confirmation of the signing expected within 24 hours, pending satisfactory medical results.

Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, watched the player in action for his former club, CD Tenerife, and has monitored his progress closely.

He will now join Ian Black as a new face at Riccarton when the squad reports for pre-season training on Thursday.

Suso favours a position wide on the right side of midfield but can operate anywhere across the middle or in attack. His signing will increase Laszlo's options for next season.

Meanwhile, striker Christian Nade is striving to attain full fitness in time for Hearts' opening game of the new season on 15 August against Dundee United. The Frenchman underwent a hernia operation last month and has been rehabilitating in France. He will not take part in matches during next month's pre-season tour of Germany.

Nade said today: "The focus is on being fit for the start of the season. I've been doing my rehab back in France and I'll continue with it when I get back to the academy. I want to get back as soon as possible.

"The first game of the season is my target and, if everything goes well, then hopefully I will be okay for then."