Exclusive: Hearts agree Stuart Findlay loan-to-buy deal with Oxford
Hearts have agreed a deal to sign Oxford United defender Stuart Findlay on loan, sources have told Football Insider.
Findlay, 29, has spent the last two seasons on loan at Kilmarnock and new Hearts boss Derek McInnes is keen to be reunited with him at Tynecastle.
The Scotland international is set to join Hearts on loan with an obligation to buy after terms were agreed between the two clubs.
Celtic academy product Findlay joined Oxford from Major League Soccer side Philadelphia in 2022 but has made only 44 appearances for the U’s.
Hearts agree Findlay reunion with McInnes
He agreed a two-year loan return to Kilmarnock in 2023 and made 24 appearances across all competitions for the club in the 2024-25 campaign.
The ex-Newcastle man is an experienced operator in the Scottish Premiership, making 179 appearances in the top-flight and also turning out in European qualifiers.
| Appearances | 214 |
| Goals | 13 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 19 |
| Red Cards | 5 |
Findlay is primarily a centre-back but can also feature at left-back.
Hearts finished seventh in the Scottish Premiership in the 2024-25 campaign, topping the relegation group after winning each of their last four games.
McInnes has replaced Neil Critchley at Tynecastle, with the Englishman sacked in April after just six months in the job.
Rangers enquire over England international
Meanwhile in the Scottish Premiership, Football Insider has revealed (9 June) that Rangers have enquired to Leicester City about signing Conor Coady.
Coady has a year left on his current deal but would have to take a wage cut if he stayed with the Foxes following their relegation.
The Glasgow giants have made initial contact with Leicester as they aim to strengthen their defensive ranks.
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