Hearts have continued their summer recruitment drive by signing Turkey Under-21 defender Alim Ozturk on a three-year contract.

The 22-year-old is 6ft 3in and played in Holland, the country of his birth, with SC Cambuur before earning a move to Trabzonspor in Turkey.

Head coach Robbie Neilson told the club's official website: "He is a very good player. He was sold to Trabzonspor 18 months ago for quite a bit of money and was a big prospect for them.

"He is a good centre-half with good mobility and again is another excellent development prospect for us.

"He was playing with Cambuur in Holland but did so well he got a move to Turkey. He didn't really enjoy things there, though, and ended up not playing for the first team, eventually moving to Trabzonspor's B side.

"But he wants to get back playing and has taken a big gamble coming here as he has taken a big hit on his wages.

"I think the fans will really take to him. He is big, strong and athletic and is good on the ball, too. I think him and Danny Wilson will form a great partnership.

"We have been trailing him for a few weeks and didn't think we had a chance of getting him but I'm delighted to have signed him and sometimes you just have to wait a little while to get players like him."