Goalkeeper Michael McGovern is delighted to have signed for Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian, the Enniskillen man agreeing a one year deal with the option of a further year following his departure from Norwich City.

“I’m delighted. Hearts are a massive club, I’m excited to be here and looking forward to getting started,” the Northern Ireland international told Hearts TV.

The 39-year-old knows Scottish football well having started his playing career at Celtic and also enjoyed spells at Falkirk, Ross County and Hamilton.

“It’s pleasing to be back because I loved my time in Scottish football. I loved the passion that the fans have and I’m looking forward to getting back into it, being in front of crowds and enjoying the atmosphere,” he said.

And there will be no shortage of familiar faces at the club with international team mates Aaron Hughes and Liam Boyce at the club while he has also played with Technical Director Gary Naismith and worked with Head Coach Frankie McAvoy and Sporting Director Joe Savage previously.

“I played with Naisy at Norwich and worked with both Frankie and Joe at Hamilton and Norwich. There are a lot of familiar faces and once the opportunity to come here came about, I was desperate to be a part of it.

“I want to be involved at a big club in Scotland. Hearts are among the biggest and it’s not something I could turn down. I spoke to Boycie the other day and had a chat with Aaron Hughes, who I still speak to now and again. They spoke really highly of the club. Hopefully I can contribute and be one of those players people speak about in the future,” he added.

McGovern’s arrival at Tynecastle strengthens the goalkeeping department at the club considerably, slotting in beside Zander Clark, and Craig Gordon as he steps up his recovery from injury. McGovern says he’ll be looking to stake a claim for the jersey but will happily cheer on whoever gets the nod between the posts.

“It’s a really good group,” he explained.

“Craig’s making his way back from injury, and he did really well last season – playing fantastically. I’ll be pushing them both, trying to get into the team, because I’m wanting to play. Even if I’m not, I want to be supporting whoever is playing and trying to be a positive member of the group. That’s the way I do things.”

And he is excited about the possibility of playing in Europe this season with Hearts involved in a European qualifier.

“I’m really excited by the challenge and looking forward to seeing who we get in the draw.

“It’ll be great to be part of a team that’s in Europe – hopefully we can get through and take part in the group stages. It’s exciting times and I’m looking forward to it.

“Tynecastle has one of the best atmospheres in the whole country, if not the best. I’ve been to Tynecastle as a supporter, as a player, and it’s unbelievable when it’s rocking.

“A number of people I’ve spoken to down south have talked about how good the Hearts support is. Hopefully we can get some success, get the fans cheering, and make everybody happy,” he stated.