The midfielder was one of Hearts’ new additions during the winter transfer window.

Sander Kartum believes he simply had to accept the opportunity to join Hearts when it offered itself, with some Scottish advise from an Aberdeen player.

The seasoned midfielder has never played outside of Norway and is now getting his first taste of UK football with Hearts. Kartum, 29, impressed with Brann and played in the Conference League against St Mirren earlier this season, whom the team will face in the Scottish Cup last 16 on Monday night.

Kartum, who formerly played for Stjørdals-Blink and Kristiansund, contributed seven goals and four assists from midfield in just over 5-0 games for Brann. When the opportunity arose to be part of Neil Critchley’s winter recruitment drive at Tynecastle, which also featured Elton Kabangu, Jamie McCart, Michael Steindwender, and Harry Milne, Kartum made an easy decision.

He stated, “It’s a big club with amazing fans, and it’s an opportunity for me to play outside of Norway.” I am so looking forward to that. I want to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new, and when the opportunity arises, I must seize it.

I’m a dedicated worker that prioritizes the team, enjoys being innovative, and uses my left foot to help achieve goals. I consider myself a box-to-box midfielder, but I want to attack, so I’m accustomed to playing on the right side, which works wonderfully for me.

“I feel like it came organically, like taking steps in each club I’ve visited. When the opportunity to travel to Hearts came up, it was a major step for me, so I had to take it.”

There was an Aberdeen star with whom the transfer to Scottish football was explored. Sivert Heltne Nilsen joined the Dons from Brann last summer, and some wisdom was handed on to the new Hearts signing. Kartum stated, “I chatted with my agency and then my family to receive opinion on whether I should take the opportunity to travel over here.

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