Who is Jordi Altena? The stats and story behind Hearts’ exciting right-back target

Here is a detailed profile of Hearts’ reported January transfer target Jordi Altena and what supporters could expect should the move be completed.

Hearts are edging closer to strengthening their right-back options with RKC Waalwijk defender Jordi Altena firmly on the club’s radar. The Edinburgh Evening News understands a deal for the Dutchman is close to being finalised, with the transfer fee believed to be in excess of £500,000. Discussions between the clubs are well advanced, and Tynecastle decision-makers are preparing to welcome Altena to Derek McInnes’ squad after the move received approval from recruitment partners Jamestown Analytics.

So what exactly would Altena bring to Gorgie if the switch goes through?

Who is Jordi Altena?

Jordi Altena is a 22-year-old Dutch right-back whose career path has been far from conventional. He began his development as a midfielder in the youth ranks of Eredivisie side Vitesse before spending last season with De Treffers, an amateur club competing in the Dutch third tier. A contractual clause allowed him to return to professional football last summer, leading to a move to RKC Waalwijk.

Initially signing a one-year deal with the Eerste Divisie outfit, Altena impressed quickly enough to earn an extension. Since converting to a right-back role, he has been a standout performer this season, registering four goals and eight assists across all competitions.

What do the numbers say?

A deeper dive into the statistics paints a very encouraging picture. Among defensive players in the Dutch second tier, Altena ranks second for offensive duels, averaging 11.31 per 90 minutes, while his 50% success rate is the highest among the league’s top five in that category.

For comparison, St Mirren wing-back Conor McMenamin leads in Scotland with 8.5 offensive duels per 90 and a 39% success rate, while Hearts’ Oisin McEntee records 3.01 with a 45% success rate. Altena’s attacking involvement is clearly on another level.

He also features among the league’s top five dribblers and deep completion specialists and leads all players for shots, averaging 1.94 per game. The next closest sits on 1.49. This could significantly enhance Hearts’ threat from wide areas, especially with left-back Harry Milne already ranking highly for shots per 90 among Premiership defenders.

Altena’s expected assists (xA) figure of 3.32 places him seventh in the league, a notable return that suggests strikers with an eye for goal could thrive alongside him. Defensively, he is no slouch either, ranking inside the top 15 for defensive duels and 16th for recoveries, though his attacking output is what truly stands out.

What has RKC said?

RKC technical director Bernard Schuiteman was full of praise when Altena first arrived, highlighting his ambition, energy and end product. Those views were reinforced after his strong start to the season, prompting the club to extend his contract until 2028, with Schuiteman noting Altena’s rapid development and untapped potential.

If Hearts secure his signature, they would be landing a dynamic, attack-minded full-back whose data-backed profile fits Jamestown Analytics’ recruitment model. While McEntee and Michael Steinwender may currently offer more defensive reliability, Altena’s continued development could provide Hearts with another dangerous outlet and valuable depth at right-back, alongside Christian Borchgrevink and loaned youngster Adam Forrester.