John Souttar: Hearts "ideal place" to get career back on track
John Souttar believes Tynecastle is the ideal place to get his career back on track and develop as a player after joining Hearts from Dundee United.
The 19-year-old signed a three-and-a-half-year contract as Hearts pushed through a deal in the latter stages of a busy transfer deadline day in Gorgie.
The Scotland Under-21 international leaves a United side who are 11 points adrift at the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Souttar had missed much of the previous season with an ankle injury and feels he can progress under head coach Robbie Neilson and director of football Craig Levein.
Souttar told Hearts TV: I'm delighted to be joining Hearts, it's a massive club and a massive opportunity for myself to get my career kicked on.
It's been a tough couple of years for myself and things have gone on but I spoke to the gaffer and he loves playing young players and I think this is a massive chance for me to develop. It's exciting times at this club and it's great to be part of it.
The atmosphere here is special. It's probably going to be easier playing on the Hearts side than it was here coming here and playing against them.
This is a club on the up and people want to achieve things here. I want to win trophies and I want to start performing well and improving as a player.''
Neilson made several attempts to land the versatile player, who has featured at right-back, central defence and midfield.
We see him as one of the brightest young prospects in Scotland, and one who we can develop further,'' Neilson said.
John's a player who we've admired for a long time and I'm delighted to secure him.
It shows the intent of Hearts to not only develop young players from our own academy, but recruit them too and continue their development.''
Hearts were able to land the player after Osman Sow departed for talks over a potential move to China with the Ladbrokes Premiership club reported to be receiving a £1million-plus fee for a player whose contract expires in the summer.
Hearts also signed former Ross County, Inverness, Watford, Cardiff and Wigan midfielder Don Cowie and Neilson got his number one target'' in striker Abiola Dauda, who arrived on loan from Vitesse Arnhem.
Morgaro Gomis joined Motherwell on loan while Danny Swanson was released but Hearts could not tie up a loan move that would have taken Jordan McGhee to Middlesbrough.