Alex Cochrane seals Hearts permanent return as Robbie Neilson secures impressive defender on three-year deal

Alex Cochrane has sealed his Hearts return after agreeing a permanent three-year deal following a successful loan spell at Tynecastle last season with the Jambos beating English Championship competition to land the defender.

Robbie Neilson and his squad are in Spain for a warm weather pre-season training camp and they have now announced the signing of Cochrane who becomes the fourth recruit of the summer transfer window, with John Souttar heading for the exit after penning a pre-contract with Rangers in January.

English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion triggered a contract extension in 22-year-old Cochrane’s contract before agreeing to sell him. Hearts were desperate to take him back to the capital and the player was keen on a return with the chance to experience European group stage football in either the Europa or Conference League. They will also aim to build on last season's third place finish and Scottish Cup final appearance.

Cochrane coveted by Coventry City and Michael Beale’s Queen’s Park Rangers, joins Alan Forrest, signed from Livingston, Kye Rowles from Central Coast Mariners and Lewis Neilson who arrived on a free after leaving Dundee United.

The stopper played 40 times for the men in maroon last season, mainly playing in the left wing back role, and the player admitted he is delighted to have signed a permanent deal at the Jambos.

Neilson, speaking to the Hearts website, said: “It’s fantastic to get Alex back in permanently. He was a huge part of the success the team enjoyed last season so to get him back in as a Hearts player for three years is great news.

“His versatility on that left side is hugely important to the way we play and I think he benefitted massively from getting a full season