Soccer: Jets recruit Cameron Devlin has change of heart and set to compete Scotland move

Devlin has agreed to terms with Scottish club Hearts and is awaiting a United Kingdom working visa to be processed.

The 23-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Jets in June but had a buy-out clause, reported to be less than $100,000, which Hearts triggered.

"We've agreed a deal with the player and the club but there is still some paperwork that needs to get done," Hearts manager Robbie Neilson told the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper. "Obviously he needs to get a visa so he can come into the country.

"We're still waiting on that because he's been at the Olympics. He's now had to go back to Australia and he's had to isolate because he's been abroad. Now he has to go apply for the visa, so it will still be a bit of time before we know if this deal will get done or not."

Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske confirmed last month that there had been interest in Devlin, but Papas was reluctant to comment until a deal had been finalised.

The departure of Steve Ugarkovic to Western Sydney, combined with the completion of a loan deal with Luka Prso and on-going injury issues for veteran Ben Kantarovski, have left the Jets defensive midfield stocks low.

Western Sydney recruit Mo Al-Taay has impressed in the opening three weeks of pre-season but if, as expected, Devlin completes a move to Scotland, the Jets will need to go into the market for a No.6.

Devlin played off the bench in the Olyroos' 2-1 loss to Egypt in the final group game - a match they needed to win to progress to the quarter-finals - and is currently in quarantine.

He was a standout for Wellington Phoenix last A-League season and it seems Hearts' requirements were similar to that of the Jets.

"We're looking for someone in there who retains the ball well but also can compete, cover the ground, win tackles and pass forward," Neilson said. "The stats guys flagged him up then we watched him and we really liked him. We've got the deal done so I think he'll do well for us.

"This deal has been going on for two months now so he should be worth the wait. We've been working in the background trying to get it sorted. We're delighted that we're nearly there, but we aren't there yet."

The Jets have signed two foreigners, believed to be attackers, but are awaiting visas to be issued before announcing the signatures.

The lockdown has forced the postponement of their FFA Cup qualifier against Western United but they have put in place a COVID-plan which allows the squad to train together.

Meanwhile, Kyogo Furuhashi scored in his first start as former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou finally got his Celtic reign up and running with a 4-2 first-leg victory over Jablonec in their Europa League qualifier on Thursday.

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