Jordan McGhee has had his heart set on a switch since to Middlesbrough since a bid to take him south in January fell through, according to Hearts boss Robbie Neilson.

The 19-year-old defender will seal a year-long loan to the English Premier League side in the next 24 hours.

Boro made a deadline day move for the Scotland Under-21 international in January but could not complete the paperwork in time.

Now McGhee will finally make the move, which will see Hearts compensated should he eventually sign permanent terms on Teeside.

Head coach Neilson said: "Jordan was really keen to go, so we have given him that opportunity.

"We didn't feel it was right to keep a player here who didn't want to be here.

"He has been desperate to go down to England for the last couple of years.

"Middlesbrough came in for him in January and the deal fell through, so he has had his heart set on it for the last little period."

Hearts will now start looking for a replacement for McGhee, who has played across the back four in his three years in the first team at Tynecastle.

Neilson added: "It means we're now out recruiting for a centre half to come in. That's something we've been looking at since the start of pre-season.

"At the moment there is no real pressure to get anyone because we have good cover - three good centre halves plus young Daniel Baur coming through as well.

"We don't need to rush so we will bide our time and wait for something good to come up."

Meanwhile Swedish goalkeeper Viktor Noring has returned home to consider a contract offer to join Hearts.

The 25-year-old is out of contract after leaving Lyngby BK and impressed as a trialist in Hearts' 1-1 friendly draw with Cowdenbeath on Saturday.