Neilson backs Oda to make an impact

HEARTS manager Robbie Neilson has spoken of his excitement after completing the capture of highly- rated Japanese attacker Yutaro Oda.

The 21- year- old signed a three- and- ahalfyear deal with the Gorgie side after Vissel Kobe accepted an undisclosed six- figure fee.

Oda follows in the footsteps of Celtic duo Kyogo Furuhashi and Yuki Kobayashi in making the switch from Kobe to Scottish football and Neilson is convinced the pacy attacker can make a big impact at Tynecastle.

The Japan under- 21 internationalist has been labelled the ‘ Japanese Kylian Mbappe’ in his homeland after being likened to the French superstar in his youth days.

And Neilson believes there is still plenty of potential in Oda, who can boast of having had Andres Iniesta as his skipper since breaking into the Kobe first team in 2019.

Neilson said: “I’m really pleased to get Yutaro in as our next signing of this window.

“He’s got a lot of great attributes but the exciting thing is that he’s still young and there will be more to come from him, so we’ve got a huge part to play in developing him.

“He’s very quick, very direct and technically very good. He’ll bring a lot to the team and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”

Oda is determined to make the most of his move to Scotland and excite the Hearts supporters after being impressed with the way the club pursued him.

He said: “I have been looking for a challenge, so this is a great club for me to come to. I am really looking forward to showing the fans what I can do.

“As a player, I see myself as a very speedy and sharp player. I am also good at dribbling and with the ball at my feet.

“When I had my meeting with Hearts, it was clear that they had done their research on me.

“To me, that shows that they really wanted to sign me, and that they are keen to help me develop further as a player.”

Oda’s arrival follows on quickly from the loan capture of Bournemouth defender James Hill on Monday evening.

The Gorgie outfit remain hopeful of cutting through red tape to seal the loan signing of Australian wonderkid Garang Kuol from Newcastle United ahead of Friday’s league meeting with St Mirren.