Citroen signs deal with Hearts

Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian has signed a vehicle deal with Citroen Fleet.

The latter will now supply a range of cars for players, coaching staff and management.

The club, based in Edinburgh, has won the Scottish FA Cup seven times and the league four times.

No fewer than 24 Citroen vehicles, includingthe C3 Vibe 1.4i, C4 1.6HDi SX, C5 2.0 HDi SX saloons and the seven-seater C-Crosser 4x4.

The vehicles have been supplied by Citroen Retail Group Scotland, which has dealerships in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, on two-year LEX contract hire agreements.

David Southern, Hearts' marketing and communications director, said: "We are delighted to have one of the top automotive brands coming on board. Citroen is indicative of the multi-national partner base that we are building off-field at Hearts.

"As a club we expect the very best from all our team and we were impressed by Citroen's value for money proposition, high levels of standard equipment and excellent safety features.

"In addition the low whole-life costs of these cars was a major consideration. Also, as a big city club, we have to consider the environment and here these new Citroen cars certainly score with their low emissions ratings and excellent fuel economy."

Citroen Retail Group Scotland will service the cars during the course of the agreement and in exchange will gain exposure to one of the UK's top 20 supported clubs, with a fan base of 400,000 around the world.

Richard Petherick, Citroen's area fleet manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland, added: "We are delighted that Hearts has recognised the strengths of Citroen including value for money, environmental responsibility and low cost of operation.

"This is the start of what will hopefully be a table-topping relationship with one of Scotland's leading teams."