Charlton Athletic midfielder Scott Fraser has joined Scottish Premiership side Hearts on loan until the end of the season.
Fraser has somewhat struggled for minutes this season, making 16 appearances in League One with only nine of those coming from the starting lineup. Having been a regular in the middle of the park for the Addicks last season, it seems as if the midfielder is unhappy with his game time at the club currently.
That has no doubt played a factor in the decision for Fraser to join Hearts until the end of the season in what could be a beneficial move for both the club and the player.
The 28-year-old has a decent amount of experience at a good level, with just under 200 appearances in League One to his name. Although he has not played for the Jam Tarts before, Fraser has prior experience in the Scottish Premiership during his time with Dundee.
Making 106 appearances for the club, 33 of those coming in the SPFL, it was his time at Dundee which earned the Scotsman a move to English football, originally with Burton Albion before going on to apply his trade for MK Dons and Ipswich before his move to Charlton.
Both Fraser as well as his parent club will be hoping that the move back up to his native Scotland can get the best out of him and somewhat reinvigorate his career.
Hearts are easily best of the rest in the Scottish Premiership currently behind Celtic and Rangers, and sit in third with a ten-point gap to Kilmarnock in fourth. It is unknown what sort of role Fraser will play this season and he could be included in their starting lineup on Saturday as they face Dundee.
Speaking on Fraser’s loan move, Charlton’s technical director Andy Scott, told club media:
“Scott (Fraser) hasn’t been able to play as many minutes of first-team football as he would like this season. He’s got a young family and in his conversations with us he expressed his desire to return to Scotland. We’ve agreed a loan deal that allows him to go and play regular football in Scotland and importantly frees up some space in the squad, as we look to strengthen in key areas.”
With the transfer window closing on Thursday at 11pm, the club will have to act quickly if they do want to address these ‘key areas’ and it can be assumed that they already have at least one move planned for deadline day.
Writer’s View
Having been a regular in the midfield last season, it did come as somewhat of a surprise to see Fraser’s minutes reduced so greatly this season. A loan move north of the border should allow him to find his feet again, and potentially arrive back at The Valley in top order.
Charlton are expected to have a busy deadline day given they currently sit precariously above the relegation zone, something that few would’ve thought at the start of the season. Change is needed both on the pitch and off of it, yet they don’t have much time to address those issues.
Who they’re targeting is unknown, but with Fraser allowed to go out on loan, you can imagine that the club will want to bring in another midfielder this January.
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