BY ALAN TEMPLE
SAM NICHOLSON has completed his life-changing move to Minnesota United in a switch that will see Hearts pocket a sell-on fee from any future transfer.
The 22-year-old has penned a deal until the summer of 2019 with the option of a further season.
The Loons are currently rock bottom in the Western Conference as they endure a baptism of fire in their maiden MLS campaign.
Nicholson was out of contract after rejecting a new deal at Tynecastle but, having been on the books of the club since the age of 12, Hearts would have been due around £400,000 in a development fee if he had joined a team in the UK.
Those compensation rules do not apply if the player moves abroad, meaning the capital club will receive no initial fee.
However, a sell-on clause has been inserted into his contract with the MLS – something Nicholson was keen to ensure happened – and Hearts will receive a worthwhile cut of the transfer fee if he moves in the future.
Nicholson made 127 appearances for the men on maroon after making his senior in 2012, scoring 16 goals and also racking up eight caps for Scotland’s under-21 side. He could make his Minnesota debut in a friendly against Atlas FC next Saturday.
