Hearts insist Mato deal agreed despite Kansas sale claim

Sporting Kansas City have conceded defeat to Heart of Midlothian in their pursuit of Rogers Mato despite the Uganda forward's current club, Vardar, claiming they had accepted an £870,000 offer, external from the Major League Soccer club for the 22-year-old.

It comes a day after the Scottish Premiership leaders announced that Mato had agreed a three-year contract to join them as a free agent in July.

North Macedonian top-flight leaders Vardar proclaimed that he instead "will play against Messi, Suarez, Giroud, Lloris, Busquets" in Major League Soccer.

They admitted that Kansas and Mato have still to agree personal terms but say he can expect a monthly salary of £35,000, plus bonuses.

But, in a statement to the Kansas City Star outlet, the MLS outfit stated: "Sporting Kansas City explored a transfer for Rogers Mato, but he has elected to sign a pre-contract with Hearts and we wish him all the best in the future."

Vadur had hoped for a sale that would mean his previous club, Macedonian First League rivals Brera Strumica, would benefit from 20% of the fee.

Mato, who played for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, has been in prolific form for Vardar this season, scoring 15 goals and contributing two assists in 17 appearances, and they currently lead second-top Struga by one point after 16 games.

First capped by his country in 2022, Mato has scored eight international goals in 41 matches, including a consolation goal in an Africa Cup of Nations defeat by Nigeria last month.

After starting his career in Uganda with Proline and KCCA, he signed for Turkish outfit Sanliurfaspor in 2023 before joining Brera a year later then on to Vardar last year.