Davie told me to follow my Heart
Ex-Jambo Weir a big influence in Alex’s decision to quit Seagulls for a permanent switch toTynecastle
ALEX COCHRANE has revealed Davie Weir helped secure his permanent transfer to Hearts.
The former Brighton man has returned to Tynecastle on a three-year deal after spending last season on loan in Gorgie.
Jambos old boy Weir was responsible for overseeing the Seagulls’ loans last summer when Cochrane became Robbie Neilson’s first addition of the transfer window.
He has since been promoted to technical director following Dan Ashworth’s departure for newly-minted Newcastle.
Cochrane was obligated to sign a one-year extension with Brighton but Weir reassured him they wouldn’t stand in his way should an offer come in.
The Jambos showed their commitment by stumping up a fee in order to land the 22-year-old full-back.
And he’s grateful to Weir for his help and guidance in getting him to Hearts in the first place, then allowing him to come back for a longer-term stint.
Cochrane said: “I spoke to Brighton at the back end of the season. There was a contract I had to sign but I spoke to David Weir and he said if the right move came along I could leave.
“I’m thankful for what they’ve done for me over the last couple of years and I wish them all the best.
“It definitely made it a lot easier knowing the city and knowing the league. Maybe if I didn’t have the loan and that experience I could have potentially gone elsewhere. But last year was great and I’m happy to be back.
“Last season David steered me towards Hearts. He told me what the football would be like, what the club was like and that made my mind up to come here last summer.
“After being here for a season I knew what it was all about. He wished me all the best and asked me for my opinion on what I wanted and what my preferences were. He has helped me a lot.”
It looked as if Cochrane was set to stay in England with Championship clubs circling.
But his heart was set on coming back to the capital after Neilson made his intentions clear.
Cochrane added: “I always knew Hearts were interested. I had a conversation with the gaffer at the tail end of last season and he said the club wanted to sign me.
“I had a bit of time to myself on holiday, came back and more or less straight away talks were happening and an offer got put in. It was a quick decision.
“It was a no-brainer to come back here and build on what we did last season.
“We’re in Europe too, which is going to be a hard test but a great experience against teams capable of doing great things.
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. There were a few other clubs interested. It was just interest and although conversations happened it was nothing too full on.”
It has only been just over a month since Cochrane last featured in maroon. It feels like he never actually left but that didn’t mean he could duck a dreaded initiation. Technically he’s a new signing so Cochrane had to get up on the chair and belt out a tune.
He added: “I said to the boys it’s been a couple of weeks and we’re back together again. But it’s good to see them. It’s a good group of lads.
“I can’t believe they made me do an initiation but I had to get that done. It was a terrible 30 seconds! I sang Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.
“I was dreadful. I was getting stick because it was awful. But it’s just team building at the end of the day and all good fun.”
Cochrane also got stick from teammates for the Love Island-theme announcement the Jambos’ media team dreamed up for his signing but as an avid viewer of the show he was well up for it.
The full-back added: “I was a fan of it! A few of the boys gave me stick, saying that it’s dreadful. But I watch Love Island so I was happy to be a part of it and go along with it.”
A no-brainer to come back and build on last season ALEX COCHRANE KNEW HEARTS WERE A PERFECT FIT