Steven Naismith has bolstered his defence with the signing of Jamaican international Dexter Lembikisa on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 20-year-old right-sided full back joins the Jambos from English Premier League side Wolves until the end of this season, subject to Scottish FA approval and international clearance.
A product of the Molineux youth system, Dexter was a regular in Wolves’ Premier League 2 side, helping the U21s to a play-off final win over Stoke in 2022 to win promotion to Division 1.
He made his first team debut in November 2022, in an EFL Cup victory over Leeds United. That same month he was handed his Premier League bow with an appearance against Arsenal, before two FA Cup appearances as Wolves took Liverpool to a replay in the third round before being edged out 1-0.
Dexter spent the first half of this season on loan at Championship Rotherham United, where he made 27 appearances and scored one goal.
Through his parentage, he qualifies to play for Jamaica and got his first taste of international football when he was called up to the Reggae Boyz’s U20s squad for the 2022 CONCACAF U20s Championships in Honduras.
Nine months later he made the step up to the senior side and won his first full international cap in a friendly match with Trinidad and Tobago. He was included in Jamaica’s squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in Canada and the US. Playing all three group games, he helped them beat Guatemala in the quarter-finals, but were beaten in the semis by eventual winners Mexico.
With 14 caps to his name, Dexter’s success on the international stage has continued. He was part of the team that topped Jamaica’s Nations League group and then defeated Canada in the quarter-finals, setting up a semi-final showdown with the US in March of the this year.
He’ll now pull on the maroon jersey for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, with Steven Naismith delighted to secure the services of his top target.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website, the head coach said; “I’m really pleased to get Dexter in so early in the window.
“He’s an exciting full back who likes to get involved in team attacks and he shows defensive traits ahead of his years.
“His progression over the past year has been massive. He’s played the first half of this season at a high level down south and he’s also become a regular on the international scene for Jamaica.
“Dexter’s career is on an upward trajectory and we’re confident he can come to Hearts and make an impact over the next five months.”
Sporting Director Joe Savage said: “We identified early on the need to bring in a right-back, given Natty Atkinson’s potential and subsequent inclusion in Australia’s Asian Cup squad.
“Our head of recruitment, Will Lancefield, and his team have worked tirelessly to source the best available targets for Steven, and we’re absolutely delighted to be able to bring in his number one choice in Dexter.
“A big thanks goes to Will and his team, and also to Steve Davis, Matt Jackson and Matt Hobbs at Wolves for making this a seamless process.
“To be able to attract another international standard player to Hearts is a big thing for the club and we’re all eager to see Dexter take to the pitch at Tynecastle Park.”
