Hearts boss Neil Critchley has confirmed that Andres Salazar is no longer a Hearts player and has returned to Atletico Nacional.
Salazar joined the Jambos on a loan in August that was supposed to run until the end of the season.
But the 21-year-old’s time in Gorgie has not worked out. He’s played just one game in the Premiership this season and that came against Motherwell just after he signed.
Salazar has been on the Hearts bench for the last five league games without being used and wasn’t able to play in the Europa Conference League as he wasn’t included in the final league phase squad.
Andres Salazar leaves Hearts
Speaking after Hearts beat Motherwell 1-0 on Thursday afternoon, Critchley said he could not guarantee Salazar the game time he wants.
Critchley said: “Yeah, he’s gone, he’s actually gone back. Unfortunately, things have not worked out the way him or us would have wanted.
“We can’t guarantee him the game time that he wanted or wants at this stage of his career, so he will go back to his parent club and we wish him all the best.”
Lawrence Shankland Hearts injury blow
Meanwhile, Critchley provided an update on Lawrence Shankland’s thigh injury which has kept him out of the last two Hearts games.
The Jambos captain will be sidelined for a few weeks in a huge blow. Critchley said: “Yeah, unfortunately he’s got a calf strain, so he’ll be out for weeks.
“I wouldn’t say it’ll be long-term, but it’s not going to be one week either. Somewhere in between, but he’s not going to appear for the next couple of weeks.”