Neil Critchley has paid tribute to Kye Rowles after the defender completed his £600,000 move to DC United – with Hearts closing in on making Michael Steinwender the Aussie’s replacement.
Rowles has left Tynecastle after two-and-a-half years and over 100 appearances to try his hand at the MLS. The 26-year-old former Central Coast Mariners star won himself a spot at the World Cup in 2022 off the back of his performances in maroon. But Hearts have wasted no time finding a successor and a fee has been agreed with IFK Vernamo for Steinwender who is set to fly in to Edinburgh this weekend to undergo a medical and thrash out personal terms to become the Jambos’ third January signing.
Critchley, who also tied down goalkeeper Zander Clark on a new two-year deal yesterday, was keen to keep Rowles but insists the Socceroo leaves with his best wishes. He said: “Kye has been a fantastic servant during my time and over his entire two-and-a-half-year spell at the club. While we’re obviously sad to see him go, it’s a good deal for him and it’s a good deal for the club so he goes with our thanks and our best wishes. As with one player leaving, it presents an opportunity for someone to stake a claim to fill that position within the team. I’m confident we have the personnel to step in to the team who, of late, have been performing well defensively.”
DC United General Manager Ally Mackay said: “We are getting a highly experienced centre back in Kye, and we’re looking forward to integrating him with the team ahead of the start of preseason. He has played the last three seasons in the Scottish Premiership and has been a pillar for the Australian National Team since 2022. Kye is a leader on the field who has good defensive instincts and the ability to play out from the back. We believe he will fit in well to Troy’s system and we’re excited to welcome him to the District.”
Steinwender, 24, only moved to Varnamo from TSV Hartberg last year for £250,000. But the 6ft 3in defender played a key role in the Swedish side fighting off relegation from the top flight through the play-offs last month. The player was identified through the club’s new link-up with Jamestown Analytics and looks set to join fellow new signings Jamie McCart and Elton Kabangu in Gorgie.
Meanwhile, Critchley insists goalkeeper Clark has more than earned his new deal at Hearts despite not playing a single minute for over five months. The Scotland international was on the radar for a number of clubs including Hibs having lost his place between the sticks to Craig Gordon back in August.
But Hearts have moved to fend off interest by handing the 32-year-old a new deal through to 2027. Clark has made 68 appearances since signing from St Johnstone in 2022 and was the established number one last season before losing his spot to Gordon after just two games this term.
But Critchley – who also has Ryan Fulton competing for the jersey – said: “It’s fantastic news that Zander has committed his future to the club. It can be challenging for a goalkeeper when they’re not playing but Zander trains at 100 per cent every day, he’s supportive to his teammates and he’s a big part of our plans going forward. To have three top class goalkeepers competing with each other is a good thing for the club and I’m delighted to get the opportunity to continue working with him beyond the end of this season.”
Hearts B team defender Kai Smutek has joined Bonnyrigg Rose on loan until the end of the season.