Derek McInnes has added Osin McEntee to his squad on a three-year deal, the Republic of Ireland youth international having signed a pre-contract agreement.
The 24-year-old will join the Tynecastle club this summer after the expiry of his contact with Walsall, an English League Two club, where he made 79 appearances, scoring six goals.
McInnes, Hearts’ new head coach, said: “Oisin is hungry, he wants to learn and improve, and he wants to be part of what we are trying to do at Hearts.”
The head coach said McEntee is a ball player and has gained a lot of knowledge in England, but he has played in Scotland, which is a bonus.
He will be at Tynecastle until the summer of 2028 and McEntee is the fourth summer singing as McInnes (pictured) looks to re-build the squad ahead of the new campaign.
He arrives following deals to bring defender Christian Borchgrevink, goalscoring forward Alexander Kyziridis and Elton Kabangu, who was the club’s second top goalscorer last term, into the club.
McEntee started his career with the Newcastle United Academy and the central midfielder was captain of the under-18 and under-23 sides.
He signed a new contract with the North-East club but was loaned to Greenock Morton and played 28 games before he left Newcastle for Walsall where he signed a two-year contract.
There he played in midfield but also in the back three and made his final appearance for The Saddlers in the recent play-off final defeat at Wembley to AFC Wimbledon.
Internationally, he has played for the Republic at youth level and his experience includes the European qualifiers in 2023 at under-21 level.
Meanwhile, McInnes’ new-look Hearts open their campaign in the Premier Sports Cup, Group E, at home to Dunfermline Athletic, now managed by ex-Hibs and Celtic boss, Neil Lennon, on July 12 (5.15pm) and it will be televised.
Then Hearts travel to the K Park to face Hamilton Accies on July 15 (7.45pm) and are away at Stirling Albion’s Forthbank Stadium on Saturday, July 19 (5.15pm), also in front of the cameras.
Hearts return to Tynecastle for their final group match and host Dumbarton on Wednesday, July 23 (7.45pm).
