Latest news with #Kabangu
Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Kabangu signs and Hearts face Dunfermline
Elton Kabangu has penned a three-year deal with Heart of Midlothian FC, turning his loan from Belgian side, Royal Union Saint-Gilloise into a permanent move for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old joined the Tynecastle team in January and subsequently claimed eight goals in 18 appearances, finishing the campaign as the club's second-top goalscorer, one behind skipper Lawrence Shankland. Derek McInnes, the new head coach, said he had a good talk with Kabangu and he added: 'We're both excited about what the future holds.' McInnes feels Kabangu is a handful for opposition defences and he's confident that Hearts will receive more from the player next term. Kabangu said: 'I am just getting started and there are some big things to come for Hearts.' Meanwhile, Hearts will face Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical, Dumbarton and Stirling Albion in Group E of the Scottish League Cup. Of course, Dunfermline are managed by Neil Lennon (pictured), a former Hibs and Celtic boss. Livingston are in Group H alongside Kilmarnock, Kelty Hearts, East Fife and Brora Rangers. Matches start on July 12/13 with more fixtures on July 15/16, 19/20, 22/23 and 26/27. The team finishing top of the section as well as the best three runners-up move forward to the last 16 which is scheduled for August 16/17 when the teams competing for Europe – Celtic, Rangers, Hibs and Dundee United and Aberdeen – will enter the event. The quarter-finals are on September 20/21, the semi-finals on November 1/2 and the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday, December 14. Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Absolute handful': Hearts express delight as striker signs
Kabangu makes his loan move to Tynecastle a permanent arrangement Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... New Hearts manager Derek McInnes expects Elton Kabangu to step things up a notch next season after the Belgian forward joined the Tynecastle club on a three-year contract. The 27-year-old spent the second half of the campaign on loan with the Jambos from Union Saint-Gilloise and after scoring eight goals in 18 appearances under previous boss Neil Critchley, including seven in his first seven games, Kabangu has now completed a permanent move to Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm pleased that Elton is going to be part of this Hearts team next season and beyond,' McInnes, who was appointed manager last week, told Hearts' website. 'I had a great conversation with him last week about how I see his role in the team and what I think he can achieve here at Hearts. We're both excited about what the future holds and I'm really looking forward to working with him. Elton Kabangu has made his move to Hearts permanent. | SNS Group 'I think everyone saw the impact he had when he joined the club in January. He's an absolute handful for opposing defences and to score eight goals in a new country is a good return. 'Now Elton has had time to get used to the club, his teammates and the Scottish game, I'm confident that we'll see even more from him this coming season.' Kabangu became one of the first signings to be unearthed by Hearts following the formalising of their partnership with Jamestown Analytics last November when he arrived on loan in early January. The forward admitted in a recent interview his form tailed off towards the end of his loan stint, but he is confident he can get back on track under McInnes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I am very happy to continue my career at Hearts and to be able to call Tynecastle my new home,' said Kabangu. 'The people at the club and the supporters have been very nice to me. They give me love, passion and trust. I have had some good moments, but I definitely want more of them. Elton Kabangu scored eight goals during his loan spell. | SNS Group 'I am just getting started and there are some big things coming for Hearts, and I am very happy to be part of this new project. I am already looking forward to coming back and working with the new head coach, and taking this club forward to success.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In numbers: Why Hearts made Kabangu's stay permanent
Following a promising second half of the season, Hearts have decided to make Elton Kabangu's loan stay from Union Saint-Gilloise a permanent one. The Belgian striker was one of the first new faces in the Tynecastle club's data-driven Jamestown Analytics era, finishing the season as second top scorer with eight goals in all competitions. Advertisement That is pretty good going given the forward only signed in January and played just 18 games, but what makes his goals tally more impressive is the fact none of them came from the penalty spot. When you compare that to forwards who have played at least 10 Scottish Premiership games this season, Kabangu's non-penalty-goals average of 0.54 per 90 ranks him in the league's top 10. Meanwhile, the striker sits ninth for his expected goals tally of 0.5 per 90, and his shot (21%) and big chance (56%) conversion rates also place him high in the Premiership forward rankings. When you narrow that search down to just Hearts players on a per-90 basis, Kabangu sits top for goals, expected goals and shots on target. Advertisement A goals-per-90 average of 0.54 over a 38-game season would accumulate a very healthy return of 19, so now the challenge for the 27-year-old is maintaining that form over the course of an entire campaign under new boss Derek McInnes.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Striker Kabangu joins Hearts on permanent deal
Heart of Midlothian have signed striker Elton Kabangu on a permanent deal from Union Saint-Gilloise for an undisclosed fee. The Belgian forward joined on loan in January and has now signed a three-year deal to extend his stay at Tynecastle. Advertisement The 27-year-old scored twice in his first start to help Hearts to a Scottish Cup victory over Brechin City and repeated the feat two games later in a 6-0 win at Dundee. Kabangu scored eight goals in 18 appearances to finish the campaign as the club's second-top goalscorer, one behind Lawrence Shankland. "I am very happy to be able to call Tynecastle my new home," he told the Hearts website. "I have had some good moments, but I definitely want more of them. I am just getting started and there are some big things coming for Hearts. "I am already looking forward to coming back and working with the new head coach and taking this club forward to success." Advertisement Kabangu becomes the second signing of the Derek McInnes era at Tynecastle, following the capture of Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis. "I had a great conversation with Elton about how I see his role in the team and what I think he can achieve at Hearts," said McInnes. "We're both excited about what the future holds and I'm really looking forward to working with him. "I think everyone saw the impact he had when he joined the club in January. He's an absolute handful for opposing defences." Brighton owner Tony Bloom, who is set to take up a 29% stake in Hearts after the club's majority shareholder group voted in favour of his £10m investment, also has a significant stake in Union Saint-Gilloise. Advertisement Union Saint-Gilloise ended a 90-year wait for the Belgian title when they clinched their 12th championship with a 3-1 final-round home victory against Gent on Sunday. Check out all the transfers agreed in May in our dedicated page.
STV News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Hearts confirm permanent Elton Kabangu signing on three-year deal
Hearts have confirmed the signing of Elton Kabangu from Union Saint-Gilloise on a permanent deal. The forward has signed a three-year deal at Tynecastle following a successful five-month loan spell. After joining in January, the 27-year-old scored eight goals in 18 appearances and finished second top goal scorer behind Lawrence Shankland. New Hearts boss Derek McInnes says he is looking forward to working with Kabangu. The head coach said: 'I'm pleased that Elton is going to be part of this Hearts team next season and beyond. 'I had a great conversation with him last week about how I see his role in the team and what I think he can achieve here at Hearts. We're both excited about what the future holds and I'm really looking forward to working with him. 'I think everyone saw the impact he had when he joined the club in January. He's an absolute handful for opposing defences and to score eight goals in a new country is a good return. 'Now Elton has had time to get used to the club, his teammates and the Scottish game, I'm confident that we'll see even more from him this coming season.' Kabangu said: 'First of all, I want to thank God for this new opportunity and chance. 'I am very happy to continue my career at Hearts and to be able to call Tynecastle my new home. 'The people at the club and the supporters have been very nice to me. They give me love, passion and trust. I have had some good moments, but I definitely want more of them. I am just getting started and there are some big things coming for Hearts, and I am very happy to be part of this new project. 'I am already looking forward to coming back and working with the new Head Coach, and taking this club forward to success. 'I would also like to thank everyone at USG for my time there and congratulate them on a fantastic league title win. They deserve it so much and I hope that someday soon I am lifting trophies of my own, wearing maroon.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
