Hearts youngster Denis Prychynenko gets new deal

Hearts have handed a new three-year deal to youngster Denis Prychynenko.

The 19-year-old impressed as he finished as top scorer in the under 19s team last season, despite playing in midfield. He scored 14 goals as they finished two points behind champions Celtic.

The Ukrainian, born in Germany, has signed the new contract which will keep him at Tynecastle until 2014.

Prychynenko has been promoted to Jim Jefferies' senior squad for next season.

Jefferies said: "Had he not suffered an injury towards the end of the 19s' season, he would have featured for the first team.

"He was in our plans to start against Dundee United at Tannadice as he has the physical presence to handle that."

If he has fully recovered from his injury he will fly out for the first-team's training camp at Il Ciocco on Saturday.

"We'll have a look at him and see how he is," added the manager. "We want to see how he does in the pre-season and see if he is knocking on the door of the first team."

The teenager signed from Tennis Borussia Berlin in 2009.