“His words are really touching”- Young ace bids farewell to Hearts as he gears up for new chapter
Heart of Midlothian has announced the departure of academy player Rocco Friel, who has joined Queens Park Rangers.
The 17-year-old right-back has departed the Jambos’ youth squad after three years at Tynecastle. QPR paid an undisclosed amount for the promising young Scots defender.
Friel, who spent eight years with Rangers before moving to Gorgie, will officially join the Championship team on July 1.
He has represented Scotland at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels, including the Under-17 Euros in 2023.
He made 14 appearances for Hearts B team in 2023/24, scoring two goals and grabbing three assists from the right flank.
“I am really looking forward to it, I can’t wait to get started,” Friel commented. “The pathway here looks really good. When I spoke to the club they said everything that as a player you want to hear.
“They have shown they have belief in me and I couldn’t say no to this opportunity.”
Friel added: “I want to settle in and then I will be striving to get into the first team. That has to be the aim.”
CEO Christian Nourry said: “The identification and subsequent acquisition of Friel are signs of how this football club intends to operate going forward: by providing impressive young talent with the opportunity to seize a pathway to play first-team football at Championship level and beyond. It is up to Rocco now to make that a reality.”
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