Hearts and Scotland centre-back John Souttar is closing in on a move to Scottish champions Rangers
Hearts defender John Souttar has finalised a pre-contract agreement with Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers.
The 25-year-old passed a medical and completed terms with the Ibrox club on Friday.
Rangers are now expected to follow that with a bid to take the Scotland centre-back in January.
Souttar had been offered fresh terms at Tynecastle, but instead his six-year stay at Hearts will end, at the latest, in the summer.
In a statement, Hearts said: "The club reiterates that John is an important member of the first-team squad and will remain so until the end of the season unless a significant and satisfactory offer is made during the January transfer window."
Souttar had also been in talks with English Championship sides Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United.
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He has played 22 times this season on Hearts' return to the Premiership as he revives his career after three separate Achilles injuries.
The former Dundee United defender earned a Scotland recall in November, marking his first international appearance in three years with the opening goal in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Denmark.
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has previously said only a "huge bid" would tempt the club into selling Souttar in the January transfer window.
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Source: bbc.com