Hearts confirm signing of French striker as fee revealed and medical planned for next new arrival

A fee of €200,000 [£173,000] was agreed between the clubs for Ba-Sy, whose contract in France’s third division ran until 2027. He has signed a three-year contract in Gorgie - subject to UK visa approval and international clearance - and will meet his new team-mates for the first time when he reports to Riccarton for pre-season training.

Hearts pursued Ba-Sy in January this year but Rouen were reluctant to sell at that point whilst they challenged for promotion from the Championnat National to Ligue 2. They lost against Stade Lavallois in the play-offs and Ba-Sy then made it clear he wanted to continue his career in Scotland. He is a versatile attacker who is 6ft 3in tall and can operate as a target man, a second striker or a wide player.

The 25-year-old scored six goals and registered four assists in 29 games with Rouen this season. He is not considered a replacement for the departed Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland but has been signed to play across the front line. He joins Josh McPake, MJ Kamson-Kamara and Calvin Miller as confirmed new signings at Tynecastle Park ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Hearts have also agreed to sign Ba-Sy’s compatriot, midfielder Tom Renaud, from fellow Championnat National club Versailles. He will arrive on freedom of contract and is also expected at Riccarton in time for pre-season training. Additionally, the club intend to further strengthen their midfield and sign a goalscoring striker to replace Shankland.

Meanwhile, York City defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott is scheduled to undergo a Hearts medical this week ahead of his transfer to Edinburgh. The two clubs agreed a deal last week which will see Hearts pay a high six-figure fee for the 24-year-old centre-back. He has agreed personal terms and will now go through a medical examination before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract.

Fagan-Walcott is viewed as Hearts’ replacement for the injured Craig Halkett, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last month and will likely be out of action until next year. The Tynecastle side need a capable centre-back to fill Halkett’s position with Frankie Kent leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract. Fagan-Walcott was identified following an impressive campaign with York in England’s National League.

City won the title to secure promotion back into the Football League and several teams showed an interest in signing their biggest asset. Fagan-Walcott’s York contract runs until 2029 and Hearts had at least two offers rejected before the clubs agreed a deal. They can offer top-flight football in the Scottish Premiership, plus a chance to experience European competition with Champions League qualifying ties beginning in July.

Hearts issued a statement confirming Ba-Sy’s arrival. It read: “Heart of Midlothian is delighted to confirm the signing of French forward Amadou Ba-Sy. The towering striker joins the Jambos on a three-year-deal for an undisclosed fee from Championnat National side FC Rouen, subject to visa and Scottish FA approval, and international clearance.

“25-year-old Amadou, who stands at 6ft 3", has Portuguese top flight experience to boast alongside his background in French football. A product of Nice’s youth system, he featured for their reserve side as a 17-year-old before spending his first full season of senior football with Gazelec Ajaccio in 2021/22, where he hit double figures in goals.

“The following year Amadou moved to Dunkerque, helping them to promotion to Ligue 2, the second highest tier of French football. His good form continued in 2023/24 and he caught the eye of FC Vizela in Portugal, and he joined the top flight side in January 2024.

“A loan spell at fellow Portuguese outfit Academica de Coimbra followed, and his goals steered them away from relegation. Season 2025/26 saw a return to France with Rouen. Amadou’s 10 goal contributions in 29 appearances resulted in a third place finish, missing out on promotion to Ligue 2 by only three points, before Rouen lost in the play-off final.

“A powerhouse and technically gifted striker, Amadou has bid France adieu to become the latest of Head Coach Derek McInnes’ summer recruits as the boys in maroon continue to gear up for a blockbuster campaign of domestic and European football.”