Hearts academy product Marc Leonard has signed a loan deal with English League Two club Northampton Town for the 2021/22 season.
The midfielder moved to the Hearts youth system from Rangers and left Tynecastle in 2018 for English Premier League side Brighton. Turning 21 in December, Brighton want the midfielder they handed a new contract last year to go out and experience senior football. He'll do that with Jon Brady's Cobblers, who narrowly missed out on promotion to League One last season after suffering defeat in the play-off semi-finals.
Brady said: "Marc is a player who is very highly regarded. He is a central midfielder who can also play as an attacking midfielder. There was considerable interest in him but the fact we have been able to win the race for his signature is another tribute to the work we do with young players and the club's reputation within the game.
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"Marc has performed really well and as he develops, he will benefit from a season playing senior football. Marc can be good for us and we can be good for him - we believe this is a move that is good for all parties.
"He has already played at Sixfields for Brighton last season but it will be good to see him back here but this time in a Northampton Town shirt!"
Leonard has two senior appearances for the Brighton first-team, both coming the Carabao Cup last season. He also has seven Scotland u21s caps.
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