Heart of Midlothian have secured the signing of midfielder Laurent Mendy from National League side Forest Green Rovers on a three-year contract, in a deal that could reach close to £1m — what would be a club record fee for the south-west English outfit.

Forest Green confirmed the transfer will rise to "a club record fee of close to £1m if all targets are met", with the 29-year-old having served as club captain at Rovers last season.

Savage full of praise for departing captain

Forest Green manager Robbie Savage paid tribute to Mendy as he bid farewell to the midfielder he had signed from Macclesfield.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity for Mendy. I could not stand in his way of progressing his career and bettering his and his family's life whilst getting a record fee received for the club. They've got a fantastic player and a fantastic person. I'm incredibly proud of him,"

Savage said on the club's official website.

A long-term target for the Scottish Premiership side

Hearts had identified Mendy as a priority target ahead of the summer window, describing him as "a standout" performer for Forest Green during a season in which Rovers finished seventh and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the promotion play-offs.

The Edinburgh club highlighted Mendy's physical presence and versatility as key attributes, noting he was "often deployed at centre-half" while his ball-playing ability allowed him to step forward and function as an extra midfielder when required.

A long road through the English football pyramid

Born in France, Mendy built his career across the lower reaches of the English football pyramid, turning out for Thamesmead Town, Greenwich Borough, Whyteleafe, Ashford United, Dartford, and VCD Athletic before a stint in Sweden with Amal. He then spent four seasons at Macclesfield before following Savage to Forest Green, where he made 47 appearances last season as Rovers pushed for promotion.