Hearts Football Club has made a significant statement of intent ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season, securing the permanent signing of prolific striker Elton Kabangu from Union Saint-Gilloise. The move, finalized for an undisclosed fee, marks a major coup for the Tynecastle Park outfit and signals the ambitious new era under head coach Derek McInnes.
The 27-year-old forward has put pen to paper on a three-year deal, committing his future to the Edinburgh club after a spectacularly successful loan spell in the second half of the previous campaign. Kabangu’s immediate impact and goal-scoring prowess made this transfer a top priority for the Hearts hierarchy, showcasing their determination to build a competitive squad capable of challenging at the top of Scottish football.
Elton Kabangu became an instant fan favorite at Tynecastle with his clinical finishing
From Loan Star to Permanent Maroon
Kabangu‘s journey to becoming a permanent Hearts player began in January when he arrived on loan with an option to make the move permanent. Few could have predicted the immediate impact the Congolese striker would make in the Scottish Premiership.
In just 18 appearances, Kabangu found the net eight times, displaying a natural goal-scoring instinct that Hearts had been lacking. His most memorable performance came in a crucial victory against Dundee, where he scored a brace that demonstrated his complete skill set—combining aerial prowess with clinical finishing.
“The people at the club and the supporters have been very nice to me,” Kabangu told Jeetwin in his first interview since signing permanently. “They give me love, passion and trust. I have had some good moments, but I definitely want more of them. I am just getting started and there are some big things coming for Hearts.”
Derek McInnes Building His Squad
The acquisition of Kabangu represents the third summer signing for new manager Derek McInnes, who took charge at Tynecastle Park after a successful spell with Kilmarnock. The Scottish manager is clearly building his squad with specific targets in mind, focusing on players who can make an immediate impact in the Premiership.
Alongside Kabangu, Hearts have secured the services of Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink and Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, both of whom will officially join when the transfer window opens next month. This strategic recruitment approach suggests McInnes is implementing a clear tactical vision for how he wants Hearts to play next season.
New Hearts manager Derek McInnes is building a squad capable of challenging at the top
Tony Bloom’s Significant Investment
The financial capability to secure Kabangu permanently has been bolstered by significant off-field developments at Tynecastle Park. Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s substantial investment in the club has recently been approved, marking a transformative moment for Hearts’ future prospects.
Bloom’s proposal to acquire a 29% stake in the club for £9.86m was put to a vote by the Foundation of Hearts—the supporters group that owns the club—with an overwhelming 98.5% of members backing the plans. This investment far surpasses the £6m investment made by Bournemouth chairman Bill Foley in rivals Hibernian last year.
Gerry Mallon, Chair of the Foundation of Hearts, emphasized the significance of this development: “We have a wonderful opportunity now to begin to tackle the challenge of becoming a disruptor of the long-standing status quo in Scottish football. Tony Bloom’s decision to invest in Hearts was very much founded on the many benefits he saw at Tynecastle through the club being in fan ownership.”
Tynecastle Park will be the stage for Hearts’ ambitious new project
Analytical Advantage Through Strategic Partnership
Crucially, Hearts’ relationship with Bloom extends beyond mere financial investment. The club announced a partnership with Bloom’s analytics firm, Jamestown Analytics, last November—the same company that works with Brighton, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Italian club Como.
This data-driven approach to recruitment and strategy has already borne fruit, with both Critchley’s appointment (though short-lived) and McInnes’s hiring being informed by Jamestown’s analytical insights. The permanent signing of Kabangu—who was initially identified during his time at Union Saint-Gilloise, another club in Bloom’s network—demonstrates the practical benefits of this relationship.
However, the Foundation of Hearts has been clear to emphasize that Hearts will not become part of a “multi-club system” or serve as a feeder club to Brighton or Union Saint-Gilloise. Instead, the relationship is framed as a strategic partnership that provides Hearts with access to elite-level analytical resources while maintaining their independence.
Looking Ahead to the New Season
With Kabangu‘s future secured, Hearts can now build their attacking plans around a proven goal-scorer who has already adapted to the demands of Scottish football. His partnership with Lawrence Shankland, who enjoyed a spectacular season with 31 goals across all competitions, could form one of the most fearsome attacking duos in the Premiership.
The combination of strategic investment, data-driven recruitment, and an experienced manager in Derek McInnes has created palpable optimism around Tynecastle Park. As Kabangu himself stated: “I am already looking forward to coming back and working with the new head coach, and taking this club forward to success. I hope that someday soon I am lifting trophies of my own, wearing maroon.”
For Jeetwin followers and Hearts supporters alike, the permanent signing of Elton Kabangu represents more than just another transfer—it signals the beginning of an ambitious new project that could genuinely disrupt the established order in Scottish football.
Hearts Secure Elton Kabangu on Permanent Deal in Major Summer Coup for Jeetwin
What are your thoughts on Hearts’ business in the transfer market so far? Do you believe the combination of Tony Bloom’s investment and Derek McInnes’s management can make Hearts genuine contenders next season? Share your opinions in the comments below and don’t forget to follow Jeetwin for all the latest Scottish Premiership news and analysis.
