Time is limited for Heart to bring together their inaugural squad but there is no room for a 'buy now, pay later' approach.

Heart's football operations chief John Didulica insists that head coach John van't Schip's homework on potential players is crucial for the club.

"Signing players who are also good people is critical for the club," he told the club's official website today. "We don't have a lot of lead in time so we don't have much opportunity to build a club culture.

"We need a bunch of professionals who are keen to hit the ground running.

"It's why we've recruited guys like Clint Bolton, Dean Heffernan, Kristian Sarkies, Jason Hoffman and Matt Thompson who are tremendous professionals and athletes who will do what it takes to win matches of football in the way John wants."

Heart are hoping to have their squad in place well ahead of the big kick for A-League season six.

Didulica added: "We hope to finalise the playing list sooner rather than later. I think we want to have the entire squad in place by that first training date in mid to early June after our local stars return from their break."