Ryotaro Meshino: Hearts move closer to signing Man City midfielder

Hearts have moved a step closer to signing Ryotaro Meshino on loan from Manchester City after the Japanese midfielder was granted a work permit.

Meshino, 21, signed for the English champions from Gamba Osaka last week and was granted permission to move to Scotland at a visa hearing on Friday.

Manager Craig Levein is thrilled at the prospect of having the attacking midfielder at Hearts.

"He'll excite not just our fans but fans of other clubs as well," he said.

"He's an attacking player. He can play anywhere along the front line, is very good on the half turn, very technical, has got good speed and dribbling ability.

"He just likes to run with the ball and take people on and that's what people like to watch."

"I'm hugely excited about this one, he is an extremely talented boy."