Hearts sign up Jamie Walker to extended deal

Hearts winger Jamie Walker has committed himself to the Jambos by penning a fresh contract extension.

The Scotland Under-21 international is now tied to Tynecastle until the summer of 2018.

Walker was handed his first-team debut by former boss John McGlynn back in 2012 and played a crucial role as the Gorgie side stormed to the Championship title last season following their 2014 relegation.

The 22-year-old, who hopes to soon return from the knee injury which has kept him out since late October, becomes the third Hearts player to have signed a new deal in recent weeks following the agreements struck with defender Igor Rossi and midfielder Arnaud Djoum.

Head coach Robbie Neilson believes it was in both parties' interests to get the deal done.

He told the club's official website: "I'm pleased to get Jamie signed up. He's a Hearts Football Academy graduate, and we've got a few more guys too who we'd like to get signed up as we think that they deserve it and they've done well this season.

"It works well for both parties. Jamie's a big prospect at the club, played a lot of games and there's been interest in him over the years. To get him tied up gives us security but it also gives Jamie security as well, to go and progress and concentrate on his football.

"This season has been a bit stop-start for Jamie. Last season he played very well for us and won us a lot of games. He's a big part of the team and was at the start of the season.

"He's had a couple of little niggling injuries recently, which have hindered him, but we expect him to make a full recovery and add value to the team."