Monday 9 January 2017 15:35, UK
Hearts are close to making Aaron Hughes their first signing of the January transfer window.
Head coach Ian Cathro has promised new faces as he looks to reshape the Tynecastle squad and the veteran Northern Ireland international is poised to move to Edinburgh on an initial six-month deal.
The 37-year-old defender is a free agent after seeing out his contract with the Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.
Hughes has played for Newcastle, Aston Villa and Fulham during a 20-year professional career. He has won 104 caps for his country and was part of Michael O'Neill's squad at Euro 2016 last summer.
While Hughes is on his way in, centre-back Alim Ozturk has left to join Turkish second tier side Boluspor.
Ozturk, who joined the club in 2014, was out of favour and was stripped of the captaincy by former boss Robbie Neilson in September.
He scored six goals in 72 appearances for Hearts, including a thunderous 40-yard injury-time equaliser against Hibs at Easter Road three years ago.
