I'M HERE TO THUN IT ON IN EUROPE

JOSE GONCALVES hopes to repeat his Champions League exploits with FC Thun at Tynecastle.

Goncalves joins Hearts on a £700,000 three-and-a-half-year loan deal from Lithuanian outfit FBK Kaunas.

The Portuguese defender was part of the tiny Swiss club's remarkable success in qualifying for this season's Champions League group stages where they faced Arsenal, Ajax and Sparta Prague.

Goncalves snubbed Everton and reputed interest from Rangers to sign for the Edinburgh club and said: "I chose Hearts because they have great ambitions and I like that mentality.

"They want to win the SPL and qualify for the Champions League.

"I played in all six of our matches in the Champions League and I hope to repeat the experience with Hearts.

"I think Hearts are a much bigger club than FC Thun but it is hard for them to qualify for the Champions League as the Scottish league is difficult.

"However, everything is geared towards getting into the Champions League. That is what attracted me to come here.

"There were other offers from other clubs but I did not leave FC Thun for the money. I never spoke with Rangers.

"It was all about ambition and Hearts are in a good position in the SPL.

"This is the right move for me and Hearts are the right club. I believe they will help me fulfil my ambitions. That is the motivation for me and it important to be happy in my family life and with football.

"Alen Orman, who used to play with Hibs, was a very good friend at FC Thun and he told me I should sign for Hearts as he enjoyed his time in Edinburgh."

Taken from the Daily Record