Jamie Hamill, John Sutton and Danny Grainger join Hearts

HEARTS got their preparation for next season off to a flying start yesterday by signing three players - Jamie Hamill, John Sutton and Danny Grainger, all free agents. Last night the Tynecastle club were understood to be closing in on a fourth new name, Zander Diamond, while also keeping alive the possibility of signing Mehdi Taouil.

Hamill, who has signed a three-year contract, joined as a free agent from Kilmarnock. The 24-year-old midfielder previously worked under Jim Jefferies when the Hearts manager was in charge at Rugby Park, and said the chance to renew that working relationship had been a key factor in his decision to move to Gorgie.

"It's a massive club, and Jim gave me my chance at Kilmarnock," Hamill told the Hearts website. "An added factor in my decision was European football, and I'm looking forward to it. This is going to be the biggest challenge of my career."

Sutton, whose last game for Motherwell was the Scottish Cup final defeat by Celtic, said he had been advised by his elder brother Chris that Tynecastle was the right move to make. The 27-year-old target man is very much in the same mould as his new team-mate Kevin Kyle, but does not necessarily foresee the two of them vying for a single place in Jefferies' team.

"There's good competition for places, but there's no reason me and Kevin can't play together," he said.

Grainger, 24, who has signed from St Johnstone, will provide cover at left-back for Lee Wallace. That role was previously filled by Ruben Palazuelos, who is about to be released.