Steven Naismith has bolstered his midfield ranks with the addition of Malachi Boateng.
The 22-year-old joins the Jambos for an undisclosed fee from English Premier League side Crystal Palace, penning a three-year deal.
A defensive midfielder by trade, London-born Malachi is no stranger to Scottish football, having enjoyed two successful loan spells north of the border in recent years.
He came through the youth ranks at Palace, turning professional in 2019. Standout performances in the club’s academy teams saw Malachi voted U18s and U23s player of the Year, while he was a mainstay in their Premier League 2 side across 20/21 and 21/22.
Season 2022/23 saw Malachi get his first taste of Scottish football with a loan move to Queen’s Park. He helped the Spiders finish third in the Championship, though they would suffer defeat in the quarter-finals of the Premiership play-offs. Malachi’s 41 appearances earned him rave reviews and saw him named in the PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year.
Last season he returned to the SPFL, this time with Dundee. A key figure at Dens Park, Malachi made 36 appearances as Dundee finished in the top six in their first campaign back in the top flight.
Malachi now calls Tynecastle Park home, and the Head Coach is delighted to welcome him to Gorgie.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website, Steven said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to get the deal done and bring Malachi in.
“We’ve done the bulk of our recruitment early but we’re always assessing our differing requirements, and with a couple of players out through injury it’s pushed us to act swiftly.
“In Malachi we’ve got a strong, athletic, ball-winning and ball-playing midfielder. He’s also somebody who has good knowledge of Scottish football through his loan spells here.
“He’ll fit in well to our dressing room, I’m sure, and I’m looking forward to working with him as we focus on starting the season positively.”
