Hearts underwent a transformation in the summer as head coach Derek McInnes and Tony Bloom's data analytics company, Jamestown Analytics, combined to reshape a squad that had struggled to impress the previous season.
James Penrice, Jorge Grant, and Barrie McKay all left for pastures new in pre-season, as Claudio Braga, Alexandros Kyziridis, and Stuart Finlay entered - and it has worked perfectly for the Jambos, who sit six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership at the halfway stage.
The likes of Barrie McKay, Kenneth Vargas, and Aiden Denholm also waved goodbye to Gorgie, and many of the club’s youngsters took an opportunity to move out on loan to gain valuable first-team experience. But while Hearts have been riding high at the top of the Scottish Premiership, what happened to those who moved on in the summer window?
Here we look at the 14 Hearts players who moved away from the club before the start of the new campaign, and assess how they have done for their new teams in the first half of the season. Who has found success away from Tynecastle - and who regrets their decision to leave?
1. Aidan Denholm - Livingston
The 22-year-old Gorgie graduate departed the capital in the summer to sign a permanent deal with newly promotion Livingston. Frustratingly for Denholm, though, he injured his hamstring after just one league cup game and has been ruled out ever since. Expected to return later this month, where he'll look to play a role in the second half of the campaign. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
2. Gerald Taylor - Deportivo Saprissa (return from loan)
The Costa Rican right-back had an impressive start at Tynecastle, only for a knee injury to put him out for months. Upon his return to the team, he suffered a second knee injury and ended up being restricted to just 13 games. He's now back with his parent club, where he plays almost every game. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
3. Jorge Grant - Salford City
Departed Tynie after three years with Hearts to move back across the border, where he linked up with EFL League Two side Salford. Has featured regularly for the Ammies, who have had a strong campaign so far, and sit in fourth position. George has scored one and assisted two more during his 21 appearances for the club. | Liam Photo: Liam Smith
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4. Macaulay Tait - Livingston (loan)
The 20-year-old midfielder signed a season-long loan deal at Almonvale in order to get regular senior minutes in the Scottish Premiership, and has made 15 starts for Livingston. While the club are struggling at the bottom of the division, Tait will be happy to have featured so heavily, having only made 16 senior appearances for Hearts prior to the switch. Has registered two assists for David Martindale's side. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group