Witteveen's free to leave Hearts

Hearts have informed David Witteveen that his Tynecastle career is over, according to his agent. German-based Christoph Wortmann revealed today that Witteveen has been told he can leave the club for free despite ten months remaining on his contract.

Several German outfits have registered interest in the 25-year-old and he spent two days on trial at third division Wacker Burghausen last week. That move is unlikely to materialise after the Bavarian club sacked their head coach Jurgen Press, however a number of other suitors remain keen. Hearts have intimated that they are happy to release Witteveen without a transfer fee.

"David has been told he can leave for nothing so we are speaking with a number of clubs in Germany," said Wortmann. "His trial at Wacker Burghausen was difficult because the coach was sacked but we know he is free to leave Hearts without a fee."

Witteveen arrived in Edinburgh in July 2009 from Red Bull Salzburg, although he had spent the previous season on loan at WAC St Andra in Austria's amateur leagues.

He made 11 first-team appearances for Hearts and scored once during the first half of last season but has not featured since Jim Jefferies replaced Csaba Laszlo as manager in January. He joined Morton on loan for the final three months of the campaign, scoring five times in nine games. His contract with Hearts runs until June 2011.

As Witteveen prepares to leave Edinburgh, Hearts are awaiting international clearance from the Polish Football Association in order to process the registration of Adrian Mrowiec. The midfielder has been on trial at Riccarton since early July and is registered to FBK Kaunas of Lithuania. However, he played on loan for Arka Gdynia in the Polish Ekstraklasa last season and FIFA rules state clearance must be obtained from the association where a player was last registered.

"It's been held up by a registration issue in Poland," explained Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager. "You have to get clearance from the last club he played for, and coming from abroad clearances can work differently. You need to get that federation to clear the move. We're just awaiting word to see if he's got clearance in time for this weekend. If we can use him then we might, but if we can't then we can't."

It is not yet known whether Mrowiec will join Hearts on loan from Kaunas or on a permanent contract.

Meanwhile, Hearts trialist Jonathan Toto endorsed his claims for a permanent contract last night by scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over East Fife. The match was a closed-door friendly designed to help recent signings Kevin Kyle and Stephen Elliott improve their fitness, but the Cameroonian stole the show. Elliott, however, sustained a hamstring injury and was due to undergo treatment at Riccarton today. Manager Jim Jefferies is hopeful he will be fit for Saturday's visit to Hamilton.