Armand Gnanduillet exits Hearts to sign for Le Mans

Armand Gnanduillet has left Hearts, signing a permanent deal with Le Mans.

The forward had failed to secure a place in Robbie Neilson’s first team at Tynecastle and leaves after just a year with the club.

Gnanduillet had arrived from Blackpool and initially caught the eye as the team won the Championship but found it harder to get game time after stepping up to the top flight. He played 30 times for Hearts scoring six times but only found the net once this season.

Speaking on Thursday before the 29-year-old’s departure was confirmed, Neilson had said that he was actively targeting another forward signing.

“We were always going to recruit in that department anyway.” he said. “It just means we will probably need to speed it up.”

Gnanduillet’s exit leaves Liam Boyce as the only recognised striker in the Hearts squad but goals have come from elsewhere in the team.

Hearts’ only signing so far in the January window has been right-back Nathaniel Atkinson from Melbourne City.

In addition to Gnanduillet’s departure, Jordan Roberts has left to join Motherwell on a permanent deal, while Jamie Walker has joined Bradford City on loan.

Euean Henderson has left Tynecastle to join Alloa on loan, while Jamie Brandon has been loaned to Greenock Morton until the end of the season.