Hearts press ahead in bid to sign Zander Diamond

Hearts officials were today pressing forward with negotiations to complete the signing of the Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond, who is expected to finalise a three-year contract within the next 24 hours.

• Zander Diamond

The possibility of Kilmarnock's Mehdi Taouil arriving at Tynecastle also remains alive following yesterday's triple capture of John Sutton, Jamie Hamill and Danny Grainger.

Diamond underwent a medical at around 8pm on Tuesday evening which, given the frantic transfer activity in Gorgie, made concluding his deal difficult yesterday. His signing could be announced today barring any unexpected late hitches. The 26-year-old is eagerly anticipating a move to Edinburgh after playing over 200 times for his formative club Aberdeen.

He is also excited about the prospect of sampling European football in the season ahead, with Hearts due to enter the qualifying rounds of the Europa League in July. Sutton and Hamill signed three-year contracts at Tynecastle yesterday, with Grainger leaving St Johnstone on freedom of contract to agree a two-year deal. Sutton was paraded by Hearts immediately after signing and Hamill was due to front a press conference this morning. Taouil has several options to consider, both within the UK and abroad, but is known to favour a reunion with his former Kilmarnock management team of Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown.

The flurry of movement comes following weekend discussions amongst the Hearts hierarchy, who recognise that several players will be leaving the club over the coming weeks. They have set about replenishing the squad with experienced SPL players looking to take their careers to the next level.