Hearts Striker Lawrence Shankland Agrees New Contract Amid International Offers

Lawrence Shankland, the captain and prolific striker of Heart of Midlothian, has decided to sign a new contract with the club, rejecting lucrative offers from abroad despite his contract recently expiring. The 29-year-old Scotland international, who has scored 68 goals in 137 appearances for Hearts since joining in 2022, was linked with moves to clubs including West Bromwich Albion and Saudi Arabian teams. New Hearts head coach Derek McInnes, who has made retaining Shankland a priority, expressed relief and optimism about the striker's commitment, emphasizing his goal-scoring potential and importance to the team. Although negotiations were initially challenging, recent talks have progressed positively, culminating in an agreement that secures Shankland's future at Tynecastle. West Bromwich Albion, who had targeted Shankland for his physicality and experience, will now need to seek alternative striker options. Shankland's decision is seen as a boost for Hearts' ambitions, with McInnes aiming to build a strong team around him for the upcoming season.