Sabri Guendouz has opted to join Scottish Premiership club Hearts, rejecting other offers from across Europe and the Middle East, citing the opportunity to compete in the Champions League as a key factor in his decision. The 26-year-old midfielder transferred to Hearts from Belgian second-tier side Beerschot for a reported fee of £850,000 in late June.
Guendouz, who is originally from Cambrai, France, attracted interest from a number of clubs over the summer, including AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, as well as teams in Belgium, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia. Despite these options, he chose to sign for Hearts, drawn by the Scottish club’s participation in European competition and the chance to establish himself at a higher level.
“I had Hearts, AZ Alkmaar, a club in Saudi Arabia, a club in Sweden, a club in Belgium,” Guendouz said. “But when I saw Hearts I said ‘Wow.’ One year I was not playing much for Guingamp, the next year I came to this club.” He will get his first taste of European football when Hearts begin their Champions League qualifiers against Sturm Graz on July 21.
Guendouz’s career has seen a rapid ascent. After limited game time with Guingamp in France’s second division last year, he moved to Belgium, where he impressed with Beerschot before attracting attention from Hearts. The club reportedly began their pursuit of Guendouz in early May, with initial contact made by former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, now managing Rangers. Guendouz will now play under new head coach Wouter Vrancken, who previously led Sint-Truiden to a notable third-place finish in the Belgian top flight last season.
Guendouz expressed confidence in Hearts’ direction and the coaching staff’s vision. “I know the coach because I played in the first league in Belgium. He had a big season. Sint-Truiden finished third,” he said. “Now the coach is going to do the same. For me, the future and my adaptation to it is very good.”
Versatile in attack, Guendouz is expected to feature primarily as an attacking midfielder in a No. 10 role, where he hopes to influence games through creativity and offensive play. He cited Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Neymar, as well as Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, as inspirations for his style on the pitch. “I like to dribble, be direct and play offensively,” he said. “I like to play for the fans and the people who go to the stadium to watch.”
Guendouz acknowledged the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about his prospects at Tynecastle and the new season. “I know we will have a lot of difficult moments this season. This is football, we will have good moments and bad moments. I am ready to help the team and to continue to believe in my dream.”