Hearts open talks with midfielder Obua

HEARTS manager Csaba Laszlo will hold discussions with Uganda midfielder David Obua after the player arrived in Edinburgh this morning.

Obua has recently been on trial at West Ham United but is keen to consider all options after leaving the South African club Kaiser Chiefs on freedom of contract. He is hankering after a move to Europe and Laszlo remains an admirer from his time as national coach of Uganda.

It is not yet clear whether Obua, who can also operate in defence, would qualify for a UK work permit but Laszlo and Hearts officials will examine that possibility during their discussions. The club would first have to confirm with FIFA that he had played 75 per cent of competitive international matches for Uganada during the last two years.

The 24-year-old flew into Edinburgh to meet his former coach and tour Hearts' facilities at both Tynecastle and Riccarton.

"We have arrived in Scotland and we will meet the manager for some talks," said Janos Hrutka, Obua's agent. "There is not much more we can say at the moment. There may be more to say after the discussions with Mr Laszlo and the work permit is something we must talk about."