Socks around the ankles, natural skills, refreshingly honest… no wonder Hearts go ga-ga over Claudio Braga

Hearts’ New Darling

Claudio Braga, the 26-year-old Portuguese forward, has taken the Scottish Premiership by storm with his infectious enthusiasm, colourful personality, and searing honesty. The £400,000 summer signing from Norwegian obscurity has become the new darling of Tynecastle, and his boundless energy has turned him into a fan favourite.

A Journey from Obscurity to Stardom

Braga’s journey to stardom began long before his efforts in Scotland or Norway. Born in Mafamude, an unglamorous working-class suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia near Porto, football was always in his blood. He bounced around various youth set-ups, including Candal, Boavista, Pacos de Ferreira, and Rio Ave. Despite his talent, the big breakthrough never arrived, with Braga citing a lack of finance in the Portuguese lower leagues as a major obstacle.

A New Beginning in Norway

At 22 years of age, with his career going nowhere, an unromantic move to Norway beckoned. Braga joined third division Moss FK on a trial, and although he wasn’t keen initially, it proved to be the launchpad for his career. He eventually settled in Norway and began to make a name for himself, scoring goals and impressing with his skills.

Hearts’ Title Credentials

As Hearts prepare for their showdown with Rangers, Braga is now very much back on form. He had gone five games without a goal before netting the opener in a 2-1 win at Celtic Park a fortnight ago, which saw Hearts reaffirm their title credentials. With two goals in his last two games, he is tied with Lawrence Shankland on eight apiece at the top of the Premiership scoring charts.

Details

* Braga was born in Mafamude, an unglamorous working-class suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia near Porto.
* He joined Hearts from Norwegian club Moss FK for £400,000 in the summer.
* Braga has scored 11 goals in all competitions, including two in his last two games.
* He is tied with Lawrence Shankland on eight apiece at the top of the Premiership scoring charts.

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