Ex-Hearts striker confirmed signing for SPFL club leaving fans delighted

Aidan Keena has returned to Scottish football after a short spell in England

Falkirk have confirmed the signing of ex-Hearts striker Aidan Keena.

The Irishman has joined from Hartlepool United, penning a two-year deal for the Bairns.

Keena, who left Hearts in January to move to the National League after falling out of favour under Daniel Stendel, has moved back to Scotland with him and his partner expecting a child.

Aidan Keena has joined Falkirk less than nine months after leaving Hearts for Hartlepool United. Picture: SNS

The 21-year-old has been handed the No.9 shirt and will be expected to fire Falkirk back into the Championship with fans expressing their delight at the signing.

Former Hearts ace Lee Miller will be one of his two managers, alongside David McCracken.

He told the Falkirk website: “We are really, really pleased to secure the signature of Aidan. We have tracked him since we came into the club and we were actually interested in bringing him in during the January window. That didn’t materialise, but when the opportunity came up this time round we were determined not to miss out.

“Aidan’s a great type with natural ability and at the age of 21 we feel we can continue to improve him too.”

Potent attacking threat

McCracken added: “After losing a couple of players in forward areas at the end of the season we felt it was vital that we added at least a similar number in those positions. In Anton Dowds and now Aidan we feel we have a very potent attacking threat and two players who will work really well together as a partnership.

“It has taken a lot of time and work, but we are delighted that Aidan is officially a Falkirk player. We will continue to be active in the transfer market and continue to strengthen the squad where we can in the weeks ahead.”

Keena was highly thought of at Tynecastle, featuring 18 times after joining from St Patrick’s Athletic.

During his time in Gorgie he had two positive loan spells at Queen’s Park and Falkirk's rivals Dunfermline.