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THE GORGIE SIDE HAVE AN OPTION TO SIGN THE RIGHT BACK IN THE SUMMER 14:20, 11 Apr 2025 Neil Critchley has confirmed Hearts won’t be taking up the option to sign Gerald Taylor in the summer.

The Costa Rica international is currently out injured with as medial cruciate ligament damage but could yet play a part before the end of the season. But the signing of Valarenga right back

Christian Borschgrevink - who will move to Tynecastle in the summer - has ended any chance Taylor had of extending his stay in Gorgie. The 23-year-old, on loan from Saprissa in his homeland,

has made 13 appearances in an injury hit season. And Critchley said: “We won't be taking up Gerald's option at the end of this season. He's still with us now. We're

still hopeful he'll be able to play between now and the end of the season. "But we've informed him that his option we won't be taking that for next season. He has been

really unfortunate. "When I came in, he was injured. He had a significant injury, which was, I think, late September. "I came in in October. And then he got fit. It was around the

end of December, or really early in January. "So he had a good few months out. Come back, he's had some minutes, played some games, and then gets injured again with another quite

significant injury on international duty. So it's been really stop-start. It's not easy. "And when you're adapting to a new country and new culture, you need to be

playing games to speed that process up. And Gerald's unfortunately not had that." Borschgrevink will officially join Hearts in June when the transfer window opens and will

challenge academy graduate Adam Forrester for the right back position. And Critchley added: “Christian’s someone who we've been analysing and assessing for quite a period of time.

"We want a competitive squad and we want to always improve the team. At the age of 25, we think Christian has got his best years in front of him. He's captain at a big club,

Valerenga. He's got obvious leadership qualities. "He's the right type of character we want to bring to this club, along with his ability. "We want to improve the

standard of the group all the time. Adam knows the situation. We've spoken to him numerous times. "Adam's got the shirt. He's the number one choice. You need players in

every position and you need players to be competing. That's no different. We've been open and transparent with Adam. Article continues below "He knows where he stands in the

group. In this moment in time, he's got a shirt and is playing extremely well. As with every position, you need people to be able to challenge you. "Christian's going to come

in and do that. It'll be a really good competition to see who's the right back for Hearts next season.”