SAINTS SIGN CONNOR SMITH FROM HEARTS

Saints have today moved to sign midfielder Connor Smith from Heart of Midlothian on a contract to May 2025. 

The Edinburgh-born player who turns 22 next Thursday, has come through the youth ranks at Tynecastle and made his senior debut for them in May 2018.

Connor has since gained great on-loan experience with half a dozen clubs including Cowdenbeath, Queen’s Park, Hamilton Accies and most recently Scunthorpe United.

Capped at various Sottish youth levels including Under 21, Connor joined his new colleagues for training this morning before speaking exclusively to the Saints Official Website.

Speaking about the opportunity to get a run at one club Connor said: “The loan moves have all proved really useful in my development but I need to be settling down now and concentrating on one club.

“I was most recently at Scunthorpe but I felt it was best to be in Scotland and playing regularly in the Premiership and this move gives me the chance to do that.”

Notwithstanding his desire to ‘settle down’ in terms of who he’s playing with, another attraction for Connor has been that he knows the Saints coaching staff.

“It was Craig Levein who gave me my debut for Hearts when I was only 16 so he knows all about me and what I can do” says Connor.  “I worked with Andy Kirk at Tynecastle as well so having them here has certainly influenced my decision to join Saints.”

Saints fans can expect to see a versatile player who will give the management team plenty of options.

Connor continued: “I can play centre midfield or wide and have also been ‘a ten’ so hopefully I can give the team a few options.  I can drive forward from the middle of the park and can get goals so I’m looking forward to just getting settled for 18 months, improving my game further and helping the team climb up the league.”

Connor’s availability is subject to international clearance following his most recent spell with Scunthorpe United.