Hearts announce latest starlet to sign new deal

Hearts have announced a new deal for Jamie Brandon.

The 22-year-old has penned a two-year contract following the expiry of his current deal.

Brandon joins fellow academy graduates Lewis Moore and Euan Henderson in committing their future to the club.

Hearts are set to put an emphasis on young talent coming into the new season where they will be competing in the Championship.

Manager Daniel Stendel is without a contract but wants to continue as boss and help build the club back up with youngsters.

He told the Evening News: "We have a big club, a really nice stadium, a great support and real potential. We need to build up the team with a lot of good young players from the academy.

“I think we have some really good players and we can start to work towards more ambitions for the future. I can only say I want to do it, but the final decision will be with [owner] Ann Budge and with the club.”

An injury last season limited Brandon, who is capable at playing either right-back or left-back, to just nine appearances for the first team.

The defender made his debut aged 19 at Celtic and has featured 30 times for the first-team.