Heart of Midlothian head coach Steven Naismith has expressed his excitement following the signing of English-born Ghanaian midfielder Malachi Boateng.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website, Naismith said, “I’m pleased we’ve been able to get the deal done and bring Malachi in. We’ve done the bulk of our recruitment early, but we’re always assessing our differing requirements, and with a couple of players out through injury, it’s pushed us to act swiftly.
“In Malachi, we’ve got a strong, athletic, ball-winning and ball-playing midfielder. He’s also somebody who has good knowledge of Scottish football through his loan spells here. He’ll fit in well to our dressing room, I’m sure, and I’m looking forward to working with him as we focus on starting the season positively.”
The 22-year-old midfielder joins the Jambos from Crystal Palace on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Boateng, who came through Palace’s youth ranks, gained valuable experience during loan spells with Queen’s Park and Dundee, where he impressed and was named in the PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year.
Boateng will wear the number 18 jersey for Hearts.