New Hearts striker Uche Ikpeazu admits he hopes Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith can help make him even better after signing a two-year pre-contract with the Tynecastle outfit.
The 23-year-old will make the switch to Craig Levein’s side from Cambridge United this summer having caught the eye with 14 goals for the English League Two outfit this season.
The 6ft 4” London-born marksman also reportedly attracted interest from Championship winners St Mirren and a host of League One teams south of the border.
But Ikpeazu admits the prospect of learning from the likes of Northern Ireland internationalist Lafferty and Scotland cap Naismith, who could extend his loan deal from Norwich City, was an opportunity he could not turn down.
Ikpeazu, speaking to Hearts TV, said: “There are some big name players in Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith, who is here on loan at the moment – they’ve been there and done it and I’ll be looking to learn off them and hopefully they can pass on their experiences to me.
“They’re internationalists and you can learn from them and improve your game even more.
“I still think there is more to come from me and I’m still learning the game, I’ve only just turned 23 but the best is yet to come.
“The manager has also told me to enjoy myself.
“He really wants to work with me, he feels that he can get the best out of me and help me to develop as a player and make me become a better player than I am just now.”
Ikpeazu came through the ranks at Reading as a youth before joining Watford in summer 2013.
The pacey striker failed to make the breakthrough at Vicarage Road and made a total of six separate loan moves away from the Hornets.
Ikpeazu, who moved to the Abbey Stadium in August 2016 and has scored 22 goals in 62 starts for Cambridge, is adamant that a switch to Scotland will benefit his flourishing career.
He added: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s good to get it wrapped up and done, and I’m looking forward to being a Hearts player next season.
“Playing football in England, I didn’t know much about Scottish football to be honest. But I did know that Hearts is a big club.
“When I came to the stadium and I saw it for myself, it was crazy.
“I’m sure they get loads of fans,18,000 every game – that’s some big attendances and I’m looking forward to playing in front of them.
“That’s what attracted me, and having a manager in Craig who really wanted to work with me, I feel that’s the most important thing to feel wanted, and that’s the way I felt.”
Describing what the Hearts fans can except to see from him, Ikpeazu, who is Levein’s second pre-contract recruit after St Johnstone striker Steven MacLean’s switch was confirmed 24 hours earlier, added: “I score goals, I’m strong, quick and I like to bring people into play.
“I break my goals into small batches, I have a target in my head but the most important thing is helping the team do well and the individual things will come.”
