Heart of Midlothian's new addition Andres Salazar is "one of the most promising full-backs in Colombia" - and his move could see him return to the national team ahead of the World Cup in 2026.

The club announced the 21-year-old as their ninth signing of the summer, joining on loan from Atletico Nacional. And he may well be the most exciting.

After all, this is a player who is rated very highly in his homeland and has already won full international honours. While not the best metric, Colombia are ninth in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between Portugal and Italy. It is not often the club sign a player with such potential from such an impressive footballing nation.

"Andres Salazar is one of the most promising full-backs in Colombia," the view of journalist William Perilla who covers the Colombian top flight and national team. "His process through the youth ranks of the Colombian national team makes him a key player for that position in Nestor Lorenzo's team.

"His move to Scottish football is essential to be able to get on the radar looking at possibilities in the qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup.

"Starting a season from scratch and with the possibility of standing out in the Europa League, it is time for him to give his all and get minutes in the Scottish league."

Lorenzo's "priority" when selecting his national team squad is players plying their trade abroad. Of the last squad, only two play their football in Colombia. Both are goalkeepers, one of which is 35-year-old David Ospina.

Therefore, Salazar would find it more difficult to return to the international fold in his homeland.

Preview

Tomorrow at 7am we will release our scouting lowdown on Andres Salazar with some insight from a neutral observer:

I like him as that 'maurader' type, so any role and/or system that enables him to do that basically. That could be as a full-back in a four or a wing-back in a three/five. One of the things I really liked about Salazar was his ability to progress the ball up the pitch with punchy dribbles and powerful carries. He often combined those with one-twos, meaning he could take opponents out the game and extend that progression through the thirds and drive the ball into higher areas.

Yet, he is viewed as a long-term solution at left-back and it is hoped that his move to Gorgie will see him put pressure on Real Mallorca's Johan Mojica and Déiver Machado of Lens. Both are in their 30s.

The decision was made earlier this year for Atletico Nacional, one of Colombia's biggest clubs, to look to move the player to Europe, especially with the interest in him in recent transfer windows. A decision made easier with depth at left-back in Alvaro Angulo and Samuel Velasquez.

Italian clubs Frosinone, Emploi and Cagliari were all understood to be interested at one point. So to were Porto, according to sources close to the player. However, it was with a view of playing for the Portuguese giants' B team who play in the second tier.

Perilla noted the player has trained separately as Atletico Nacional have worked on the deal to transfer him to Europe, his last appearances coming in April with the club not making the final stages of the league's Apertura stage.

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There is no doubt, in his view, that Salazar can be a success with Hearts.

"He has the abilities and was one of the candidates in Colombia to go to Europe," Perilla said.

"A full-back that likes to get forward, he gets to the byline and is able to overlap and create goalscoring opportunities from the wing. He reads the game (well), he knows when to go (forward) or when to stay back in defence.

"He has good defensive ability and tactical understanding. When he touches the ball, he doesn’t overcomplicate (things). He can be a great assister, contributing to the attack with crosses and defence-splitting passes."