David GOMBE
Uganda Cranes forward Rogers Mato has walked the David Obua path after completing his move to Scottish side Heart of Midlothian.
The winger joins Hearts on loan from FK of North Macedonia but will sign a permanent three year employment contract with the Edinburgh based side in June as earlier reported by this website.
‘Heart of Midlothian is delighted to confirm the signing of Rogers Mato in this transfer window. The Ugandan forward joins the Jambos on an initial loan deal from North Macedonian side FK Vardar until the end of the season, subject to international clearance and Scottish FA approval. At the end of the season, upon the expiration of his contract with Vardar, Rogers’ permanent three-year contract with Hearts will begin. ” Reads a statement on Hearts website.
He becomes the fourth Ugandan to play for Heart of Midlothian after the legendary David Obua, Toby Sibbick and Mubiru Ikpeazu.
Mato was also been a transfer target for Turkish side Trabzonspor and Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City.
Mato has previously featured for Proline FC and KCCA FC in Uganda before joining Sanliurfaspor in Turkey.
He has also played for Fudbalski Klub Akademija Pandev Brera Strumica in North Macedonia.
At FK Vardar, Mato scored 15 goals in 17 games across all competitions this term. He is the joint-top scorer in the North Macedonia League with 12 goals same as Bassirou Compaore of Struga.
Mato was one of the three Uganda Cranes players who scored at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Karl Anthony Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu plays at St.Johnstone and John Jordan Obita at Hibernian are other Uganda Cranes players who feature in Scotland.