Hearts insist Mato deal agreed despite Kansas sale claim

Heart of Midlothian insist Rogers Mato will definitely join them this summer despite the Uganda forward's current club, Vardar, claiming they have accepted an £870,000 offer, external from Kansas City for the 22-year-old.

It comes a day after the Scottish Premiership leaders announced that Mato had agreed a three-year contract to join them as a free agent in July.

Now North Macedonian top-flight leaders Vardar have proclaimed that he instead "will play against Messi, Suarez, Giroud, Lloris, Busquets" in Major League Soccer.

They admit that Kansas and Mato have still to agree personal terms but say he can expect a monthly salary of £35,000, plus bonuses.

They add that his previous club, Macedonian First League rivals Brera Strumica, will benefit from 20% of the sale.

Mato has been in prolific form for Vardar this season, scoring 15 goals and contributing two assists in 17 appearances, and they currently lead second-top Struga by one point after 16 games.

First capped by his country in 2022, Mato has scored eight international goals in 41 matches, including a consolation goal in an Africa Cup of Nations defeat by Nigeria last month.

After starting his career in Uganda with Proline and KCCA, he signed for Turkish outfit Sanliurfaspor in 2023 before joining Brera a year later then on to Vardar last year.