Dundee United’s John Souttar completed a transfer to Hearts minutes before the midnight deadline and says the move will allow him to get his career “back on track”.
Mixu Paatelainen’s fears that he would lose the highly-rated teenager before the end of January proved well founded.
The United boss had hoped the versatile youth academy product would see his future at Tannadice and extend his contract, but Paatelainen suspected that Hearts putting money on the table might be a game-changer.
After three bids from Tynecastle were knocked back, the fourth turned out to be the decisive one.
The fee for the Scotland under-21 international is understood to be around £150,000.
Souttar told Hearts News: “I’m delighted to have signed for Hearts tonight. I think I’m joining a brilliant club at a great time.
“There are so many exciting things happening at this club, and Robbie is a coach who likes to give young players, like myself, their chance.
“I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and getting my career back on track.
“I would like to say thank you to all the fans and the people at Dundee United for their support over the years, and who gave me the chance to play football.”
United would have been due a significant possibly even higher development fee had Souttar let his contract run down and left in the summer, but chairman Stephen Thompson clearly didn’t want to take that chance.
Speaking on Friday, Paatelainen said: “John has been with United for a number of years and has developed.
“We hope he carries on his development with us. But on the other hand if the club is happy to let him go then so be it.
“If he moves to Hearts then it’s just a sign of someone matching our valuation of a player.
“Maybe I’m less confident of him signing a deal because a club has offered money for his services. That changes things a little bit but we value John and hope he stays.”
Souttar favours centre-back as his long-term position, an opinion thought to be shared by Hearts boss Robbie Neilson.
Neilson said: “I’m really happy to get John here to Hearts.
“We see him as one of the brightest young prospects in Scotland, and one who we can develop further.
“John’s a player who we’ve admired for a long time and I’m delighted to secure him.
“It shows the intent of Hearts to not only develop young players from our own academy, but recruit them too and continue their development.”
Souttar has signed a three-and-half-year deal.
Meanwhile, midfielder Scott Smith parted company with United and midfielder Euan Spark has joined Forfar on a development loan until the end of the season.
United’s attempt to bring Partick Thistle midfielder Steven Lawless to Tannadice didn’t bear fruit.