Oisin McEntee, a Walsall defensive midfielder, has agreed to join Scottish Premiership side Hearts on a three-year contract. McEntee, 24, a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, has made 79 appearances for the Saddlers in three seasons since coming from Newcastle United in 2022. He was a member of a Walsall team that dominated League Two for much of the previous season but faltered in the closing stretch, losing to AFC Wimbledon in the play-off final.

McEntee, who played in the Scottish Championship with Morton on loan from Newcastle in 2021-22, will join Tynecastle on a free transfer when his contract with Walsall expires this summer. “It became clear in our conversations that Oisin is hungry, wants to learn and improve, and be a part of what we’re trying to do here at Hearts,” said incoming manager Derek McInnes. “He’s played in defence and midfield, so having alternatives for his position is a great bonus. Oisin has gained a lot of experience down south, and he also knows Scottish football, which is an advantage.”

McEntee is McInnes’ third signing following the acquisition of Belgian forward Elton Kabangu and Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis.

McEntee is one of several out-of-contract players at Walsall, and the club is in talks with nine others to extend their contracts following a poor season. The Saddlers are in talks with goalkeeper Sam Hornby, defenders Liam Gordon, Harry Williams, and Priestley Farquharson, midfielders Ryan Stirk and Ronan Maher, and strikers Albert Adomah, Jamille Matt, and Douglas James-Taylor. They have released four players – goalkeeper George Barrett, defender Donervon Daniels, midfielder Jack Earing and attacker Danny Johnson – but have exercised options to extend the contracts of defenders Rico Browne and Evan Weir.