Deal complete! Hearts finalize loan-to-transfer deal for Rogers Mato

After a protracted transfer saga, Uganda national team star Rogers Mato’s move to Scottish Premiership club Hearts was formally announced by the Edinburgh club on Thursday.

🎥 Rogers Mato gives his first interview as a Jambo to Hearts TV ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/I9EJvGjDr6

— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) January 29, 2026

The 22-year-old attacker joins on an initial loan from North Macedonian club Vardar until the end of the ongoing 2025-26 season before he will permanently join Hearts on a three-year contract. Interestingly, he will wear #74 to acknowledge the club’s long history having been founded in 1874.

Mato will add a boost to the club’s attack as they attempt to remain at the top of the Premiership table as surprise title contenders. He was originally set to join the club at the conclusion of his contract with Vardar but the transfer was fast tracked for an earlier arrival on loan.

A former player at Kampala-based clubs KCCA FC and Proline FC, Mato spent a brief spell in Türkiye before thriving in North Macedonia.

He made his breakthrough in the country’s top flight with Brera Strumica before upgrading to Vardar, where he scored 12 goals in 13 league matches to become joint top scorer before the league went on its winter break. He produced 26 goals and 10 assists in 68 appearances during his time in North Macedonia.

Primarily a winger, he emerged as a star player for the Uganda national team, scoring one goal in three matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the Cranes exited at the group stage. Mato has 7 goals in 39 appearances with Uganda and was a key member during AFCON qualifying as well as 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. He also featured for his nation at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) while with KCCA.

That was sweet from Rogers Mato.#UGAMOZ | #2026WCQ pic.twitter.com/b6TNO17rzT

— FUFA Tv (@fufatv1) September 5, 2025

He has already begun training with his new club and will be available for Saturday’s Premiership clash at Dundee United. Hearts currently top the table with a four-point lead over Rangers FC. The club have not won the league since the 1959-60 campaign.

Notably, no club other than Glasgow’s Old Firm clubs Rangers and Celtic have won the Scottish top flight since famous Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson won the league with Aberdeen to back-to-back titles between 1983 and 1985.