Calem Nieuwenhof is Hearts transfer find as former Man United star makes 'big future' prediction

Former Manchester United star Morgan Schneiderlin predicts a bright future for Hearts target Calem Nieuwenhof.

The Aussie under 32 international is close to agreeing a switch to Tynecastle, although the usual wait for a work permit means he may not arrive for a couple of weeks yet, providing a deal is finalised with Western Sydney Wanderers. It’s a market the Jambos know well, having plundered Cammy Devlin, Nathaniel Atkinson and Kye Rowles from the A League in recent seasons.

There is some excitement surrounding Nieuwenhof, and not just because the capital club have been slow off the mark in getting new faces on, with only veteran keeper Michael McGovern added so far. The midfielder is highly rated in his homeland and has been attracting interest from Europe over the last few months. Hearts appear to have won the race though, and their Aussie contingent will grow by one when the relevant paperwork is signed and sealed.

Ex Man United man Schneiderlin has seen up close just what Nieuwenhof can do, having partnered him the Wanderers’ engine room for the second part of last season after joining on loan from Nice. And the 22-year-old impressed the former French international, not just with his ability, but attitude and willingness to soak up all the information he needs in order to make it.

"He's a very good player, you can see he's a young kid who's listening and doing everything right," Schneiderlin said. "He doesn't lose the ball and he knows how to use his body. I'm trying to help him to improve but he has a really good future ahead of him."

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