HEARTS have signed Canadian youth cap Dario Zanatta on a two-year deal.

The 18-year-old featured on trial for the Gorgie first-team during pre-season, playing in the defeat to Stirling Albion and the draw with Cowdenbeath.

The forward, who can also play in midfield, is a product of the Vancouver Whitecaps youth set-up and had trials with IFK Gothenburg and Ipswich Town earlier this year, but has finally completed his switch to Tynecastle.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Dario impressed during pre-season and has been handed a two-year deal."

Meanwhile, head coach Robbie Neilson has praised his patched-up stars as he prepares to ask them for another huge effort away to Dundee tomorrow.

The Tynecastle manager surprised a few by naming the likes of Prince Buaben, Blazej Augustyn, Juanma and Igor Rossi in his starting line-up for their Premiership return against St Johnstone on Sunday.

All four had been restricted in their pre-season preparations but helped Hearts to an incredible 4-3 victory to kick-off the new campaign.

Neilson, who could hand Nigerian World Cup star Juwon Oshaniwa his debut at Dens Park tomorrow, said: "There's been a lot of players this pre-season who have missed a lot of games - the likes of Prince Buaben.

"I thought he was magnificent on Sunday, considering he's struggled with injury.

"Rossi as well hasn't done a lot of pre-season, but he came in and got through 90 minutes.

"For these guys, who haven't played a lot of football, to solider on in the last 20-25 minutes was a real fight for them."