The Scottish Premiership transfer window has taken a dramatic twist as Heart of Midlothian and FK Vardar find themselves at the center of a tug-of-war over Ugandan winger Rogers Mato. The 22-year-old, who has been lighting up the European football scene with his remarkable scoring record, is now the subject of competing transfer claims between Hearts and Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City.
On January 13, 2026, Heart of Midlothian announced with much fanfare that they had secured a pre-contract agreement with Mato, who is set to join the Tynecastle club in July 2026 on a three-year deal. The news sent a ripple of excitement through the Hearts’ faithful, who have watched their club closely monitor Mato’s progress for months. The Ugandan international has been in sensational form for FK Vardar this season, bagging 15 goals in just 17 matches—a tally that builds on his impressive 21 goals in 33 games over the previous two campaigns.
But just as Hearts fans began to celebrate, FK Vardar threw a spanner in the works. On January 14, the North Macedonian club issued a statement claiming they had accepted a €1 million (approximately £870,000) bid from Sporting Kansas City. The statement went further, outlining that Mato would earn $40,000 per month, plus bonuses, if he agreed to personal terms with the MLS side. FK Brera Strumica, Mato’s former club, is also set to receive 20% of any transfer fee, while Vardar would retain a 10% sell-on clause should Mato move to Kansas City.
The Vardar statement even included screenshots of email correspondence between themselves, FIFA agent Ives Čakarun, and Sporting Kansas City, underscoring the seriousness of their claim. In a move that only added to the intrigue, the statement boasted, “Mato will play against Messi, Suarez, Giroud, Lloris, Busquets… Now it remains for Kansas and Mato to agree on the conditions under which he will play there. A salary of around 40,000 dollars per month, plus bonuses, is expected. This transfer will also help Strumica Brera, which according to the agreement is entitled to 20% of the sale.”
So, what’s really going on here? Hearts, for their part, remain unflustered. A club spokesman told Record Sport, “We have signed an agreement with the player, and are relaxed about the situation.” This sentiment was echoed in a subsequent statement, with the club reiterating their confidence that Mato will don the maroon jersey come July. The Tynecastle chiefs have been steadfast, insisting that the agreement is legally binding and that the player will strengthen their attack as planned.
Adding another layer to this transfer saga, Sporting Kansas City themselves have weighed in. A spokesperson for the MLS club confirmed, “Sporting Kansas City explored a transfer for Rogers Mato but he has elected to sign a pre-contract with Hearts and we wish him all the best in the future.” This acknowledgment from Kansas City seems to pour cold water on Vardar’s claims of a done deal with the American side, instead supporting Hearts’ position that Mato’s future lies in Scotland.
For Mato, this whirlwind of interest is nothing new. A product of Proline FC in Kampala, Uganda, he has steadily climbed the ranks of professional football, with stints in Turkey and North Macedonia before catching the eye of European scouts. His performances for Uganda at CAN 2025, where he found the back of the net, further cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s rising stars.
The transfer saga has also brought financial details into the spotlight. Vardar’s rejected £300,000 bid from Hearts earlier in the window was a clear indication of their high valuation, but the subsequent agreement—whether with Hearts or Sporting Kansas City—will see Mato’s former club, FK Brera Strumica, benefit from a 20% cut of any transfer fee. Such clauses are increasingly common in modern football, providing vital revenue streams for smaller clubs that help develop young talent.
Hearts’ pursuit of Mato is part of a broader strategy to bolster their attacking options as they aim to maintain their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership. The club’s willingness to negotiate and ultimately secure a pre-contract agreement speaks to their determination to compete not just domestically, but on the European stage. Mato’s arrival, should it go through as planned, is expected to inject pace, creativity, and a keen eye for goal into the Hearts lineup.
Meanwhile, FK Vardar’s public statements and release of confidential correspondence have raised eyebrows across the football community. Was this a last-ditch attempt to drive up the transfer fee or a genuine belief that a deal with Sporting Kansas City was imminent? Whatever the motivation, the episode underscores the complex, often opaque nature of modern football transfers, where agents, clubs, and players must navigate a maze of competing interests, legal agreements, and public relations battles.
For now, Hearts supporters can take comfort in the club’s calm demeanor. The official line remains unchanged: Mato has signed, and the club is “relaxed” about the situation. Sporting Kansas City’s own statement appears to back up this claim, suggesting that, barring any unforeseen complications, the Ugandan winger will be pulling on the maroon shirt come July. A move this month hasn’t been ruled out entirely, but with Vardar’s latest maneuvering, it’s clear that nothing is straightforward in this high-stakes transfer drama.
As the dust settles, all eyes will be on Rogers Mato himself. Will he make the leap to the Scottish Premiership, or could another twist see him head to the United States? For now, the player’s next destination remains the subject of intense speculation, but one thing is certain: his talent and goal-scoring prowess have made him one of the most coveted young wingers in the game.
With both clubs standing firm and the player’s future hanging in the balance, the Rogers Mato saga is far from over. Fans in Edinburgh and Kansas City alike will be watching closely as the summer transfer window approaches, eager to see where the exciting Ugandan forward will land next.