Hearts sign Turkish stopper Alim Ozturk

Alim Ozturk, below, is excited about signing a three-year deal with Hearts. Picture: SNS

Dutch-born Ozturk, 22, spent two years with SC Cambuur in the Netherlands, before joining Turkish outfit 1461 Trabzon on loan last season.

He has also featured for Turkey’s Under 21 side on a number of occasions.

Robbie Neilson said Ozturk’s capture was an ‘excellent development prospect’ for Hearts, adding: “He is a very good player. He was sold to Trabzonspor 18 months ago for quite a bit of money and was a big prospect for them.

“He is a good centre-half with good mobility.

“He was playing with Cambuur in Holland but did so well he got a move to Turkey. He didn’t really enjoy things there, though, and ended up not playing for Trabzonspor’s B side.

“But he wants to get back playing and has taken a big gamble coming here as he has taken a big hit on his wages.

“I think the fans will really take to him. He is big, strong and athletic and is good on the ball, too. I think him and Danny Wilson will form a great partnership.

“We have been trailing him for a few weeks and didn’t think we had a chance of getting him but I’m delighted to have signed him and sometimes you just have to wait a little while to get players like him.”

The defender will meet up with his new team-mates when he arrives for pre-season training next week.