Hearts legend Rudi Skacel is set for a dramatic return to Scottish football with Raith Rovers.
The 36-year-old attacking midfielder is a free agent following a spell with Mlada Boleslav in his native Czech Republic and is expected to be unveiled as Gary Locke’s latest new signing today.
Skacel worked under Locke when the 41-year-old was part of the Hearts coaching team during both Jim Jefferies and Paul Sergio’s reign.
The Czech cap is a firm fans favourite at Tynecastle after winning the Scottish Cup with the club in 2006 and 2012.
Locke has been trying to persuade Skacel to join the Stark’s Park club for a number of weeks and it appears his persistence has finally paid off.
After announcing the signing of Yaw Osei on Twitter, Raith also said: “And we have news tomorrow morning of a very special arrival this evening from foreign parts.”
Skacel first joined Hearts in summer 2005 on loan from Marseille and scored 17 goals as the Gorgie club finished second in the top-flight that season.
He linked up with former Hearts boss George Burley at Southampton in July 2006 and was farmed out out to Hertha Berlin in 2008.
Following spells at Slavia Prague and Larissa, Skacel rejoined Hearts in September 2010 and scored twice as the Tynecastle side beat city rivals Hibs 5-1 in the Scottish Cup final two years later.
He joined Dundee United in October 2012 before returning to Slavia Prague in March 2013.
