Alfie Osborne has left Hearts for Chelsea. (Image: Malcolm Mackenzie/Getty)
Alfie Osborne has left Hearts for Chelsea. (Image: Malcolm Mackenzie/Getty)
Heart of Midlothian are to lose another promising academy talent with Alfie Osborne set to move to Chelsea.
The 17-year-old has agreed a long-term contract that will see him swap Tynecastle Park for Stamford Bridge.
Osborne had significant choice regarding his next move after an excellent season, which saw him win the club's B team Player of the Year and captain Scotland Under-19s. He played the majority of the campaign as a centre-back, but can also operate in midfield.
He captained Hearts to their first Scottish Youth Cup win in 26 years and made 32 appearances for the B team last season across the Lowland League and Challenge Cup. It led to him earning some first-team recognition with a place in a matchday squad, albeit not on the bench.
Osborne's exploits with Scotland generated interest from around Europe, including France and Italy, while there were plenty of clubs in England keeping tabs on him.
Hearts made a push to keep Osborne at Hearts, but Chelsea have won the race to land the centre-back with the club due to receive training compensation.
Hearts have already lost Keir McMeekin to Manchester City, while Boyd Fraser has agreed to join Nottingham Forest. The club agreed compensation fees for both players.