Hearts have announced the departure of Beni Baningime but have not provided any update on his long-term midfield sidekick Cammy Devlin, who is also out of contract this summer.
The Jambos issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that: “Beni Baningime, Frankie Kent, Alan Forrest and Lewis Neilson will leave upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.
“All four have made important contributions to the club’s success in recent years, and will move on to next stage of their careers with the best wishes and thanks of everyone at Hearts.
“All four players depart with our sincere thanks and appreciation.”
Baningime is a particularly high-profile departure given that he was a regular starter and popular among supporters throughout his five years at Tynecastle, although ultimately Jamestown Analytics, Hearts’ data analysis partner, holds heavy sway in terms of whether player are offered new contracts.
While there are no surprises over winger Forrest and defenders Neilson and Kent moving on, it is notable that there is no mention of Devlin on the club’s latest update.
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The Australia midfielder is out of contract and exploring his options. Hearts are keen to keep Devlin but it remains to be seen if they can find a way to make it happen without breaking their wage structure.
The shock departure of Lawrence Shankland, the Jambos’ captain and highest earner, to Rangers this week may allow the club some extra scope for an improved offer for a player who has become a firm fans’ favourite since his arrival in 2021.
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is also out of contract this summer but the 43-year-old is expected to retire after the World Cup after struggling with shoulder injuries over the past year.
With Marc Leonard having returned to parent club Birmingham and key defender Craig Halkett set to miss the first half of next season after rupturing his Achilles this month, Hearts are busy trying to replenish their squad for the new campaign.
Deals have already been agreed to sign winger Josh McPake and midfielder Tom Renaud, while the Edinburgh club have been linked with Falkirk winger Calvin Miller, York defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott and French striker Amadou Ba-Sy.
Hearts’ Costa Rican forward Kenneth Vargas, who has spent the past year on loan in his homeland, has had his contract with Alajuelense terminated after he was one of three players dropped from the national team’s pre-World Cup squad for disciplinary reasons this week.
The 24-year-old remains contracted to the William Hill Premiership club until 2029.
