Hearts Keeper Kello misses start of pre-season after failing to sign deal

HEARTS are likely to begin pre-season training tomorrow without the Slovakian goalkeeper Marian Kello. Despite verbally agreeing a deal at the end of last season to remain with the Edinburgh club, Kello has yet to sign a new contract.

The delay is due to protracted negotiations between Hearts and FBK Kaunas, who hold the goalkeeper's registration. He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Tynecastle but manager Jim Jefferies is keen to broker a permanent transfer.

Kaunas are seeking a fee for the 27-year-old and discussions have not proceeded as quickly as planned. Kello is keen to stay with Hearts having shaken hands on a new contract with senior club officials in May, including sport director Alexandr Metlitski and director Sergejus Fedotovas. After Jefferies arrived in January, a series of impressive performances in goal prompted the manager to publicly declare Kello the club's first-choice goalkeeper, and Jefferies remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached.

However, as of this morning, Kello had not returned to Edinburgh and was not expected to report to Riccarton tomorrow morning with the rest of the first-team squad as his future remains unclear.

Kaunas officials remained coy on the subject when contacted by the Evening News.

The Lithuanian club, like Hearts, are financed by Vladimir Romanov's Ukio Bankas Investment Group but have taken on the role of a poor relation over the last year after dropping into Lithuania's amateur third division. A Kaunas spokesperson said: "I cannot confirm anything because I do not know the situation with Kello. I have not heard any news so there is nothing to discuss."

With Janos Balogh, Jamie MacDonald and Mark Ridgers all contracted for next season, Hearts have no urgent need to complete a deal for Kello but are hopeful that that situation will conclude quickly.