Gerald Taylor has arrived in Edinburgh ahead of his switch to Heart of Midlothian.

The Costa Rican international is set to become the club's seventh summer signing, joining in a similar deal that brought countryman Kenneth Vargas to the club 12 months ago. The 23-year-old will arrive on an initial loan from Deportivo Saprissa with an option for the move to become permanent. 

Hearts were granted a Governing Body Exemption from the Scottish FA to progress with the visa process. Now Taylor will undergo medical checks. Barring any snags the move will be completed.

A right-sided defender, Taylor can play as a full-back or wing-back. He recently featured for Costa Rica at the Copa America. He was a late substitute in the opening group game draw with Brazil and played the full game in his country's 2-1 win over Paraguay.

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Contracted with Saprissa, the biggest club in Costa Rica, until 2026. He has played more than 110 games for the team, winning a number of trophies and playing in continental competitions.

Taylor would reinforce the right-hand side of the Hearts defence with Daniel Oyegoke having also been brought in. The club are looking to offload both Toby Sibbick and Nathaniel Atkinson.

The first-team squad, with the exception of Vargas, Lawrence Shankland and Zander Clark, are currently in Tenerife until Thursday. All six new signings, Oyegoke, Ryan Fulton, James Penrice, Blair Spittal, Yan Dhanda and Musa Drammeh, travelled.