Hearts have confirmed that the teenage striker has completed a deadline day transfer to the English Premier League.
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Hearts have confirmed the surprise deadline day departure of 18-year-old striker James Wilson to English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
The Scotland international has signed an initial loan deal until the end of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with an option of a permanent transfer this summer after Thomas Frank’s side edged out rivals Arsenal in the race for the Gorgie teenager’s signature on Monday afternoon.
Wilson’s arrival in North London completes a whirlwind day for the young frontman that started with Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirming that Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Arsenal side had ‘opened discussions’ with Hearts over a shock move for the player, and ended in him arriving at their Europa League-winning rivals just minutes before the English transfer deadline shut at 7pm.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of James Wilson on loan from Heart of Midlothian for the remainder of the season, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.” said Tottenham Hotspur in a short statement following the confirmation of Wilson’s arrival.
Signing his first professional contract at Tynecastle in the summer of 2023, he exploded onto the scene last season after being handed an opportunity to shine by former head coach Neil Critchley. Famously scoring a late equaliser for Hearts in a 1-1 derby draw against Hibs at Easter Road in October 2024, he bagged six goals in all competitions in his breakthrough season.
Rewarded with a call-up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad in March of last year, he became the youngest player to represent the national team when he made his debut off the bench during the Nations League play-off defeat to Greece at Hampden Park.
However, the starlet has been starved of regular first-team action since the arrival of Derek McInnes as head coach in the summer, making just one league start this season, leading to his departure to Spurs on deadline day.
“The 18-year-old heads south to join the English Premier League outfit’s U21 side until the end of this season, subject to international clearance and Scottish FA approval,” Hearts said in a statement via their official website. “The terms of the loan move include an option to buy, for an undisclosed fee, on Spurs’ part.
“James rose to prominence last season with an Edinburgh derby strike and went on to win a full Scotland cap. He’s pulled on the maroon jersey on 45 occasions, scoring eight goals. Everyone at Hearts wishes James the best of luck at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.”