Rogers Mato spoke with pride and gratitude after being unveiled by Heart of Midlothian, calling his move to Tynecastle the fulfilment of a lifelong dream and a responsibility he is ready to embrace.
The 22 year-old Ugandan international joins the Edinburgh club on an initial loan from North Macedonian side FK Vardar until the end of the season, pending international clearance and Scottish FA approval.
When his Vardar contract expires, Mato will automatically sign a permanent three-year deal with Hearts, underlining the club’s long-term belief in him.
“It’s a great pleasure to be here at Hearts,” Mato said. “It’s my dream coming true and I’m pleased to finally be here.”
His arrival marks another milestone for Ugandan footballers in Europe. Mato has earned 41 caps for the Uganda Cranes and scored eight international goals, including a strike at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that boosted his profile.
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He also arrives in strong club form after scoring 12 goals in 13 matches for Vardar and helping push the team to the top of their domestic league form that caught the attention of Hearts head coach Derek McInnes.
“It’s great work from the club to get Rogers in this window and I’m really pleased he’s here,” McInnes said.
“He’s a livewire attacker who wants to cause problems for defenders. He’s met the squad, made a good first impression and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
One of the standout moments of his unveiling was Mato’s choice of shirt number, 1874, the year Hearts was founded. He described it as a sign of respect rather than a novelty.
“That’s when the club started, so I’ll carry the legacy on my back,” Mato said. “It’s a big responsibility, but we can’t hide from responsibility.”
