HEARTS have completed the double signing of defenders Aaron Hughes and Lennard Sowah until the end of the season.

The Tynecastle club confirmed on Monday morning that Alim Ozturk had left for Turkish club Boluspor and have wasted no time in replacing the centre-back.

Northern Ireland international Hughes, who represented his country at Euro 2016 last summer, was a free agent after leaving Indian Super League outfit Kerala Blasters recently.

The 37-year-old brings a vast amount of experience to the Gorgie club, having racked up 455 top-flight appearances in England for the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Fulham.

He arrives on the same day as Sowah, who was released by Hamilton Academical earlier this month after his short-term deal expired.

The 24-year-old left-back has made seven appearances for Accies this season and has previously had spells with Portsmouth, Hamburg, Millwall and Vestjaelland of Denmark.

The pair are boss Ian Cathro's first signings for Hearts since he replaced Robbie Neilson in the hotseat in December.