Hearts have announced an “exclusive” deal with an analytics firm owned by Brighton majority shareholder Tony Bloom.
The tie-up with Jamestown Analytics will see the company, which already works with Brighton, Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise and Italy’s Como, add Hearts as their only Scottish partner.
Sky Sports News reported in September The Tynecastle Park club were also in talks with Bloom over a £10m investment – however, those negotiations are still ongoing because this deal is not committed.
Hearts, who tapped an analytics firm to help appoint new manager Neil Critchley, are already working on plans for the upcoming January and summer transfer windows.
Hearts used the analytics firm for their manager hunt before appointing Neil Critchley in October.
The club also revealed that new sporting director Graeme Jones will start at Hearts next week and will lead the integration of analytics, which will “not only assist with the club’s player recruitment but also strengthen opposition analytics”.
Speaking to the Hearts website, chief executive Andrew McKinlay said: “There has been a lot of speculation about the merger between Heart of Midlothian and Jamestown Analytics, so I am delighted that we can now officially announce our partnership and get the facts out in the open.
“Jamestown Analytics’ reputation in football circles is second to none. I don’t underestimate when I say they have made breakthroughs with clubs across Europe, so to be the sole beneficiary of Scotland is really exciting.
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Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News in September, Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay spoke about using an analytics firm to find a new boss, and reported that Brighton owner Tony Bloom was in talks to invest in the club.
“Already our football staff, soon to be under Graeme’s leadership, is working with data provided by Jamestown Analytics to plan recruiting in January, next summer and beyond.
“I fully believe the club will reap the benefits of this modern, innovative approach to analytics and we couldn’t be more proud to be associated with Jamestown Analytics as we lead Hearts into a new era.”
Bloom-Hearts negotiations are ongoing
Hearts remain in talks with Bloom over a deal that would make him a minority shareholder
Hearts are still in talks with Bloom over a potential £10m investment at the Scottish Premiership club.
If negotiations, which have been ongoing for months, are successful, Bloom will become a minority interest in Hearts.
The Edinburgh club is owned by its supporters through the Hearts Foundation and any deal must be approved by 90 per cent of its members.
The spokesperson of the club said: “Tony Bloom has expressed his desire to invest in the club and become a minority shareholder.
“Discussions between the club and Bloom’s representatives are ongoing. As soon as something is final, the club will make an announcement.”
