Bjorn Johnsen completes transfer to Hearts following contract dispute with CSKA Sofia

Hearts have officially completed the signing of Bjorn Johnsen after the striker was finally granted international clearance by FIFA.

The 24-year-old, who started his career at Norwegian side Valerenga, penned a three-year deal with the Tynecastle club almost three weeks ago.

However, the deal was held up by a legal wrangle over the status of his contract with former club CSKA Sofia.

Johnsen played for Bulgarian side Litex Lovech last season, which was then renamed CSKA Sofia at the start of this campaign, following a merger with Chavdar Etropole. 

The new club, CSKA Sofia, refused to transfer Johnsen's registration to Hearts - claiming he was still under contract in Bulgaria.

CSKA had threatened to report Hearts to FIFA over the matter but the Bulgarian club have since missed the deadline to submit their case to football's world governing body.

The US-born Norwegian was named amongst the substitutes for Hearts' Premiership match against Inverness on Saturday afternoon.

Hearts also released a video of the striker on social media prior to kick-off, in which he confirmed he had completed his move to the Scottish club.

"Hi Jambos, good news. I'm finally officially a Hearts player," said Johnsen.

"I can't wait to get out on the pitch - hopefully we'll win today and get three points. Let's go - go Jambos."

Johnsen becomes Robbie Neilson's sixth signing of the transfer window, following the arrivals of Conor Sammon, Robbie Muirhead, Faycal Rherras, Paul Gallacher and Viktor Noring.