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Hearts today signed Robert Adam from De Anza Force Soccer club from California in the United States and Dylan McGowan from Parahill Knights in Australia to the club's U19 squad.

Both players are central defenders, hold British passports and join Darren Murray's youth side with immediate effect having travelling to Scotland this week.

Dylan McGowan is the brother of Ryan, who has featured in Stephen Frail's first team squad regularly this season.

Academy director John Murray commented, "Dylan is very much the same mould as his brother - aggressive, tall and a real football playing centre-back. He impressed on trial in the summer.

"Robert is a centre-back from America. He came over on trial in November. He's a right-sided centre back and we're hopeful this will be a good partnership in the future for the youth team, and beyond."

Meanwhile U19 midfielder Paul MacDonald and striker Steven Slater were today released from their contracts at Hearts.

The 19 year-olds, who has been with the Tynecastle side on professional terms for three years, have failed to command a regular place in Darren Murray's youth side this season.

Academy director John Murray added, "Both players leave Hearts with our best wishes for the future."