One-year deal sees Venezuelan striker Speckmaier head to Hearts

The 28‑year‑old Venezuelan international Mariana Speckmaier joins the Edinburgh‑based Hearts in the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), announced by the Jambos on their official website earlier today after her spell with Durham, and will add firepower to the side as they aim for European competition.

Speckmaier arrived at Durham after a stint with Australian Ninja A‑League side Melbourne City last summer. She featured in 17 matches for The Wildcats in the Barclays WSL2 last season, netting four goals, and helped Durham retain their place in the second tier.

Hearts have paid an undisclosed fee to Durham to secure her services, marking the Venezuelan forward’s first foray into Scottish football. The Edinburgh‑based club will test her abilities in the SWPL for the upcoming season.

Speckmaier said, “I’m really excited. It’s a new experience for me so I’m looking forward to seeing what this league brings. I heard only good things really. An amazing team and club culture, which is very important to me. After coming off the season they had last year, it was really exciting and with Champions League as well, it was hard to say no. So far so good, the girls have been great and meeting all the staff has been really nice as well.”

Her move arrives as several of Hearts’ title‑winning players from last season have already secured transfers to the English game, underscoring a growing trend of SWPL talent heading south.