Heart of Midlothian are closing in on the signing of Gerald Taylor, a team-mate of Kenneth Vargas for Costa Rica.

The recently-turned 23-year-old right-back will become the club's fifth summer transfer addition if the finer details are completed, including the Governing Body Endorsement which is required for international players.

As first reported in his native Costa Rica, Taylor could join Hearts on a season-long loan from Deportivo Saprissa, the country's biggest club. With the player under contract until 2026, the deal will be similar to Vargas' try before you buy agreement which saw the club take the player on loan with an option to make the deal permanent for a six-figure fee.

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Taylor is experienced for his age with more than 110 games for Saprissa and has played five times for the Costa Rican national team. He is in the squad for the upcoming Copa America alongside Vargas.

Hearts were in the market for a right-back with Dexter Lembikisa having returned to Wolves following his loan spell in the second half of the season while Nathaniel Atkinson could be on his way out of Tynecastle Parkt this summer. Taylor started his career at centre-back and has occasionally filled in at the position but is predominantly a right-back.

He could join Yan Dhanda, Blair Spittal, James Penrice and Ryan Fulton as summer arrivals. The quartet will begin to be announced next week. Hearts Standard understands the club are working on at least one further deal to strengthen the squad.