Date: November 24th 2009
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia

EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Heart are said to have swooped on three more top A-League stars after snaring Newcastle Jets skipper Matt Thompson.

Sources in Melbourne have revealed Sydney FC's Simon Colosimo, Adelaide United's Kristian Sarkies and Central Coast Mariners' Dean Heffernan are all said to have signed for the new franchise.

Earlier this week Newcastle Jets owner Con Constantine revealed to this website that his skipper Matt Thompson was all but in the bag by Heart coach John Van't Schip.

Colosimo has long been rumoured to have been courted by Heart in a bid to lure him back to his home city after his A-League stints with Perth Glory and Sydney FC where he has shone this season.

Sarkies is also Melbourne-bred and said to be keen to return home after a roller-coaster career in Adelaide.

However Heffernan would be a major coup for Heart. Although having struggled with serious injuries, Heffernan has proved to be among the very best left backs in the A-League and would be a shock loss for the Mariners if he quit.

All four players are starting members of their respective clubs and would be considered quality signings by Heart.

The new club's Football Operations supremo John Didulica told au.fourfourtwo.com's on Tuesday morning that the club will not elaborate on media stories about their potential signings.

"We've spoken with a great number of players but having said that, we won't be commenting on this or any other potential signings at this present moment."

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/117367,heart-snare-three-more.aspx