Praise for Hearts from Northern Ireland mates sold me on the club, says goalkeeper Michael McGovern

Michael McGovern spent seven years at Norwich before moving to Hearts

Michael McGovern was “desperate” to join Hearts and team up with some familiar faces following his move from Norwich.

The 39-year-old former Ross County, Falkirk and Hamilton goalkeeper left the Canaries at the end of last season after seven years at Carrow Road.

McGovern, who has 32 caps for Northern Ireland and who played at the Euro 2016 finals, knows the Jambos management team of head coach Frankie McAvoy, technical director Steven Naismith and sporting director Joe Savage, as well as new club-mate, Northern Ireland striker Liam Boyce and former Gorgie and fellow compatriot defender Aaron Hughes.

McGovern signed a one-year deal with the option of a further year and is the Tynecastle club’s first summer signing.

He said: “I’m delighted. Hearts are a massive club, I’m excited to be here and looking forward to getting started.

“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.

“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.”

McGovern will join fellow stoppers Zander Clark and Craig