Hearts hope to finalise a deal to make Michael Steinwender their third January signing in the next 48 hours.
The Austrian defender travelled to Edinburgh on Sunday and underwent his medical on Monday after the Jambos agreed a six-figure sum with IFK Vernamo. Now Tynecastle chiefs are waiting to complete paperwork including a work permit and governing body endorsement before the 24-year-old can be paraded as a Hearts player.
Steinwender is seen as a straight replacement for Kye Rowles who left in a £600,000 move to MLS side DC United last week after two-and-a-half years and will join fellow new recruits Jamie McCart and Elton Kabangu as Neil Critchley’s first signings. Kazakhstan international winger Islam Chesnokov remains a target, although the capital club will need to significantly up their initial offer with FC Tobol seeking £500,000 in order to let him leave. Talks are also ongoing over a move for 29-year-old SK Brann midfielder Sander Kartum.
But barring glitches Steinwender should become a Hearts player before the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday. The 6ft 3in former Austria U19 international broke through in his homeland with Mattersburg before moving on to spells at St Polten and Hartberg.
Last year he joined IFK Varnamo and in November helped the Swedish side stave-off relegation from the top flight via the play-offs.