Andy Driver '˜surprised' Hearts landed '˜quality' Perry Kitchen

Perry Kitchen is set to join Hearts after rejecting a new deal at DC United. Picture: Ned Dishman/Getty Images

The Tynecastle side have snatched the 24-year-old, who’s played three times for his nation, on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The deal was announced in the early hours of Wednesday morning, shortly after the Jambos had defeated Inverness CT, though it won’t be finalised until next week at the earliest.

A work permit has been secured for the player on “exceptional talent” basis, but it will still take a while for Hearts to cut through large amounts of red tape.

Driver insists the player will be worth the wait. The former Hearts youth academy product spent 18 months in the MLS playing with Houston Dynamo and featured in matches against Kitchen when the midfielder was still at DC United.

He believes the Tynecastle support will quickly take to a player of real quality.

Driver told the Scottish Sun: “He’s a good player. He is a hard worker who will suit Hearts and suit the Scottish league.

“He will be a really good signing for Hearts and I’m a bit surprised they have managed to get him. Six months ago he was being touted for all sorts of clubs and the MLS was offering him a really lucrative contract.

“He’s recently become a USA international, so there’s no doubt he is a quality player.

“He obviously wants to play in Europe, so coming to Hearts isn’t a bad stepping stone if he wants to get to the big leagues.

“He is a real engine int he middle of the park, but more on the defensive side.

“He’s not going to get you 20 goals. But for a holding midfielder he puts a lot of yards in.

“He loves a tackle and is definitely the type of player you like to have on your side but love to hate him if he’s on the other team.

“The fans will love him.”

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