Hearts complete signing of midfielder Sean Clare

Sean Clare has signed a three-year deal with Hearts. Pic: Heart of Midlothian FC

The 21-year-old Londoner is the Tynecastle side’s 18th signing of the summer after he became a free agent after declining the chance to extend his contract at Hillsborough at the end of last season amid reported interest from Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Rangers.

Craig Levein has been tracking Clare for some time and the Hearts manager explained that he was hugely excited at the prospect of signing the attacking midfielder after Saturday’s 1-0 win at Motherwell.

Clare, who was at Fir Park to see his new team move five points clear at the top of the Premiership, joined Wednesday in 2016 but only got his chance in their first team earlier this year. The majority of his 44 first-team appearances to date came during a fruitful spell on loan at Gillingham in the first half of last season before Wednesday recalled him and gave him his debut in January. He started five Championship matches for the Yorkshire side before having his campaign prematurely ended by an ankle injury sustained in March.

Clare previously had loan spells at Bury and Accrington Stanley and has three career goals to his name, including one for Wednesday against Aston Villa in February. He adds further depth to a Hearts midfield which is already well populated with options.