Shankland signs new three-year Hearts contract

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland has ended speculation about his future by signing a new three-year contract with Heart of Midlothian.

The 29-year-old was out of contract after turning down initial offers from the Scottish Premiership club.

But, having missed the start of Hearts' summer training camp, Shankland flew out to Spain on Wednesday as he, his representatives and the club reached an agreement.

Shankland, who has 16 Scotland caps, joined Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in 2022.

He scored 28 goals in 48 appearances in his first season with Hearts, 33 in 56 for club and country in his second campaign, but that rate fell to nine in 45 last term.

Head coach Derek McInnes told Hearts' website: "Lawrence's not only been ingrained in the club the last few years, he's been a big player for the club, knows his way about the Premiership, knows his way to goal.

"It just made so much sense on so many levels for me. I've known Lawrence since he was a young boy and I know how important family is to him and how important being happy is.

"I always felt that that was a huge advantage for us. Not only does he enjoy his time at Hearts, those family connections are always very strong.

"I do feel that having that recognised number nine, a goalscorer with a real pedigree, Scotland internationalist, the motivation for Lawerence to do well here at not only a club that he loves, a club that he's happy with.

"You see the way he's embraced his teammates this morning. He's a really popular boy, but he's got so much to do here. In my time at Hearts, I want to make sure it's successful and I want Lawrence to feel exactly the same and he does.

"We want to be lifting silverware. We want to be going into group stages in Europe and we want to have a consistent thing going here and that is the driver for all of us. I do feel that having Lawrence in the building gives us a better chance of achieving all that."