Odel Offiah’s Hearts future ‘not yet known’ as defender returns to Brighton after ‘health scare’

Odel Offiah’s future at Hearts has been described as ‘not yet known’ after the defender returned to parent club Brighton & Hove Albion this week.

It has been reported that a medical incident led to the player needing hospital treatment with our sister title The Scotsman confirming that ‘the exact nature of the problem has not been made public’ but ‘Offiah has been discharged from hospital and has returned to the south coast to continue his recovery.’

Finally, it has also been reported that ‘it is not yet clear whether Offiah will return to Hearts to see out the rest of his temporary deal’. The defender memorably scored on debut for the Jambos as he netted the second goal in their 4-0 Viaplay Cup victory over Partick thistle at Tynecastle on August 20.

Since then he has made three more appearances for the club with his last coming off the bench in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League tie with PAOK in Greece. Offiah has been with Brighton since 2017 as a youth player, having previously been on the books at Bromley, and signed his first senior contract in 2021 before making his debut for the Seagulls later that season.