Northern Irish defender Michael Smith has joined Yeovil Town on a one-year deal after leaving Hearts in the summer.
The 35-year-old has been without a club since the end of the 2022/23 season and has spent time on trial at a number of clubs.
Smith made over 203 appearances for Hearts across a six-year spell which included 8 games in the Europa Conference League last season.
The full-back also had experience in the Football League with Bristol Rovers and Peterborough United as well as appearing for Northern Ireland on 19 occasions.
Smith has signed on a one-year deal with an option of an additional year.
Speaking on his arrival, Smith said: “Coming in here, it felt like a good opportunity to create something, and help the team get promoted this year.”
The defender will be in action on Saturday as the Glovers welcome AFC Stoneham to Huish Park, subject to international clearance.
Meanwhile, Steven Naismith has vowed to play “attacking, front-foot football” after he was officially named Hearts head coach on a permanent basis having had to take a back seat for the duration of the club’s European campaign this summer.
He said: “Of course, this is a proud moment for me, but I’ve long said that Frankie, Gordy, Gal (goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher) and I are a team. We work together, tirelessly, and today’s announcement doesn’t change that.
“Job titles have changed but the core of what we’re trying to achieve has not. We want to build this team up to play attacking, front-foot football that wins games.
“That attacking football was in evidence at the end of last season although we would obviously have liked more wins to go with it.
“I have also seen some signs of that over the past month, but I want to see more. We all know the last few results have not been what we expected, but we now have the international break to work on the training pitch and put it into practice at Tynecastle on our return.
“I’d also like to thank the fans for the support they’ve shown the team as well as Frankie and me. It’s very much appreciated, and rest assured that we will do everything we can to put on winning performances that they can be proud of.”
