Striker Cole Stockton says he turned down interest from Carlisle United in favour of a move to Hearts.

The former Tranmere frontman signed a two-year deal with the Scottish Premiership club earlier this month.

And the 23-year-old today revealed he had been approached by the Blues before opting to head north of the border.

"I went to meet Carlisle’s manager. That was before I heard about Hearts," Stockton told the Edinburgh Evening News .

“When I was going to meet the Carlisle manager, Austin MacPhee [Hearts assistant coach] rang.

"I had a good chat with Austin who told me a bit about the club. We met in Manchester.

"We flew up here [to Edinburgh] a week after, met the manager [Ian Cathro] and Craig Levein [director of football]. They showed us round and put us up for the night. Then they took us out for food. First impressions mean the most.

“There were a few other clubs interested but it was about what fitted and suited me better. My eyes lit up when I knew Hearts were interested."

Stockton scored 18 goals last season, 10 of which came during a loan spell with Morecambe.