HEARTS have signed former Queen of the South striker Gavin Reilly on a three-year deal.

The 22-year-old, who scored 15 goals last season as Queens finished fourth in the SPFL Championship last term, left Palmerston under freedom of contract and will now be given the chance to test himself at a higher level. The Tynecastle club have paid an undisclosed development fee to the Dumfries-based club to secure him.

"I'm delighted to get Gavin onboard here at Hearts," said manager Robbie Neilson. "I've no doubts that he can develop into an excellent player.

"He's a hard worker, a good finisher and he makes runs over the top which will allow us to press really high up the pitch as well.

"He's desperate to come through here and he's desperate to do well for us. You want players who have got that hunger and, from having spoken to him a couple of times, you can tell he's desperate to progress his career.

"He sees Hearts as a good opportunity.

"We see an opportunity to develop him. He'll be coming to a club with really good facilities and he'll be training more often than he has in the past. Stevie Crawford will give him some really in-depth coaching in the striking department, which will really progress him."