Falkirk's Darren Barr signs summer deal to join Hearts
Barr will leave Falkirk after a decade at the club
Manager Csaba Laszlo believes Darren Barr could go on to captain Hearts when the defender completes his switch from Falkirk in the summer.
The 24-year-old has signed a pre-contract agreement to move to Tynecastle on a three-year deal.
"He is a real leader," said Laszlo. "I don't see a problem with bringing in a new player and making him captain."
Hearts saw off competition from Hibernian, Aberdeen and Dundee to land the Scotland international.
Barr came through the ranks at Falkirk and has played there for 10 years.
"I am pleased to have sorted out the next stage of my career and glad to end the speculation," he said.
Describing the capture of Barr as "very positive" news for the club, Laszlo enthused about the Falkirk skipper's versatility.
"Darren Barr is a player who can play in two different positions," said Laszlo. "In a very difficult situation he was a very good captain for Falkirk."
Falkirk manager Eddie May last week insisted that he was not interested in receiving players on loan from clubs keen to secure Barr's signature.
Instead, he wanted either a significant fee from Barr's suitors or for the defender to sign a pre-contract deal and remain to help the club in their relegation fight.
And May, whose side are bottom of the Scottish Premier League, had said he would not begrudge Barr a move after a decade of service at Falkirk, arguing that he "deserves the opportunity to play at a very good level".
Comfortable at right-back or centre-half, Barr has made more than 120 appearances in his time at the Bairns and turned out for Forfar on loan in season 2005/06.
Having played for Scotland 'B' in 2007, Barr won his first full Scotland cap under manager George Burley in a friendly against Northern Ireland the following year.
Meanwhile, Laszlo has confirmed that he still hopes that there may be more signings at Hearts before the transfer window closes on Monday.
And the goal scoring department in particular is one that he wants to strengthen.
"I hope that we can still add to the squad someone who can be more offensive," added Laszlo.
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