With the transfer deadline so close to the end Ayr United fans will have been congratulating themselves that nobody had left the club. But withiin a few hours yesterday Ayr United and Hearts agreed a five figure some for Ayr midfielder Ryan Stevenston.
As part of the Stevenson deal, young Hearts left-back Rocky Visconte has joined Ayr on loan until the end of the season.
Ex Kilmarnock and now Hearts manager Jim Jefferies told his club website: "I've always felt Ryan could make the step up.
"We've had to beat off a number of Premier League clubs to get his services, but there's no huge fee."
25-year-old, Ryan began his career as a trainee at Chelsea, spent five seasons with St Johnstone before moving to Ayr in 2007.
Jefferies thought Stevenson would bring something different to the midfielders already available at the club where he took over as manager last week.
"The midfielders are all capable of working hard, closing people down, but I feel he's got the instinct to support the front people," said the Hearts boss.
"He packs a good strike, physical strength and he has got good skill."
Stevenson was surprised by the way the move had progressed so quickly and was concluded less than three hours before Monday's transfer deadline.
"When I woke up this morning, I never imagined I would be coming here," said the player who helped Ayr win promotion from Division Two last season. "It's a bit surreal.
"Outside the Old Firm, this is definitely the biggest club, so I am over the moon that I am going to be here.
"Jim Jefferies showed an interest in me when he was at Kilmarnock. He is obviously one of the best managers in British football."
Ayr United manager Brain Reid said "It's tough to lose a player of Ryan's quality, but we can't stand in his way with an opportunity like this for him and it's not a bad deal for us either with a loan player and a fee coming our way"
Ayr United have also signed Tom McManus until the end of the season.
Brian Reid has also hinted that he will be bringing in more fresh blood via loan deals etc. over the next couple of weeks
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