Lawrence Shankland has returned to Scottish football after becoming Hearts ' latest summer signing.
Robbie Neilson prioritised a striker after Ellis Simms returned to Everton following his loan spell. The Tynecastle boss admitted the chances of bringing the big frontman back for a second stint were unlikely given the competition from down south, and has moved to bring Shankland to the capital.
Ther Scotland international has penned a three-year deal with the Europa League qualifiers after leaving Beerschot in Belgium. Shankland made the move abroad last summer for a fee of around £1million, but his only season at the club ended in relegation from the Belgian Pro League.
Hearts have been linked with Shankland for weeks, but a deal appeared to be some way off after the two clubs were some way apart on their valuation of the player. However, a breakthrough was made over the weekend, and the former Ayr United man heads to the capital club after they agreed to pay a six-figure fee to secure his services.
Shankland knows the management team at Tynecastle well. He played under Neilson at Dundee United, as well as assistants Lee McCulloch and Gordon Forrest at Tannadice. It was under them he hit his best form in tangerine, bagging 28 goals in 33 appearances as United secured promotion to the Premiership.
Ironically, Hearts headed in the other direction, being demoted after the season was brought to a premature end due to Covid. Neilson jumped ship from the City of Discovery to return to Hearts, with Ann Budge bringing him back to spearhead their Championship title tilt.
That was achieved at the first time of asking. Their winning form continued in the top flight as the Jambos cruised to third place. That guarantees them European group stage football until at least November, with Shankland set to get his first taste of continental competition.
Neilson said:“ I’m really happy that we’ve been able to bring Lawrence to the club. He’s a player I know well from our time together at Dundee United.
"I know exactly what his qualities are and what he’ll bring to the team, and that’s why we really pushed hard to make him a Hearts player. I know he’ll get a great welcome and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”
His move to Gorgie will also see him team up with James Forrest again. The pair developed a fruitful understanding whilst at Ayr United, and Neilson will be keen for the pair to pick up where they left off now both are in maroon.
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