Hearts sign Australian left back Ben Garuccio

Hearts have completed a deal to bring in full-back Ben Garuccio in a pre-contract move.

The 22-year-old left-back will join the Jambos on a three-year deal this summer after the conclusion of his current contract with Adelaide United in the A-League.

Garuccio has represented Australia at youth level up to the under-23s and has been with Adelaide since his move from Melbourne two years ago and will be a welcome addition to a Hearts squad that has lacked balance on the left-hand side.

He has racked up 23 appearances so far this season - and was sent off in successive appearances - but will move to Edinburgh ahead of the 2018-19 season for three years.

Garuccio is manager Craig Levein's sixth signing of the summer, but the Hearts boss is set to further strengthen his squad this summer after a disappointing sixth-placed finish.

Chairwoman Ann Budge has said she was reasonably optimistic'' the club can wrap up deals to sign Steven Naismith and Demetri Mitchell following loan spells last season, while Bobby Burns, Jake Mulraney, Olly Lee, Steven MacLean and Uche Ikpeazu have already signed on ahead of the next league campaign.

I've got quite a few friends that have played in Scotland so I was able to get a lot of advice. A few of them have played at Hearts and under Craig Levein, so that was a huge help,'' Garuccio told the club website.

I spoke to guys like Patrick Kisnorbo and Dylan McGowan, so yeah, it was really good to get the views of Aussie boys who have played for Hearts in the past.

They only had good things to say about the club.'