Hearts have signed Sean Clare on a free transfer after his Sheffield Wednesday exit.
According to a report in the Sheffield Star, Hearts owe Sheffield Wednesday a figure in the region of £130,000 as a compensation fee following Sean Clare’s switch to the Scottish Premiership side.
The 21-year-old came through the Owls academy and made five appearances for the first-team at the back-end of last season after enjoying a spell on loan at League One side Gillingham.
It was expected that Clare would remain at Hillsborough for this season with the club reportedly offering him several new contracts, yet the Sheffield Star claims he turned them down before walking away on a free.
Today, he has signed a three-year deal with current Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, with manager Craig Levein telling reporters how the situation is still complicated due to owing the Owls a fee.
“He’s a Sheffield Wednesday player essentially because he is still subject to training compensation, and we are just trying to get that whole thing sorted out,” Levein said, quoted by the Sheffield Star.
Clare’s decision to leave Wednesday was a blow for the club as not only is he regarded as a decent prospect, but the Owls’ transfer embargo over the summer meant they couldn’t replace him.
Clare would have provided extra midfield competition for Jos Luhukay’s men, yet instead he will now be focusing on helping Hearts extend their excellent five-game winning start to the Scottish season.
The reported compensation figure doesn’t give Wednesday many options in terms of adequately replacing him, though the fee may help fund the wages should Luhukay dip into the loan market again come January.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
