Former Hearts star completes January transfer after free agency as he jets over 3,000 miles away from Gorgie
The former Hearts star also counts Preston North End and Swansea City amongst former clubs.
A former Hearts star has found a new club after his exit from Swansea City in 2025.
Josh Ginnelly joined the Jambos on loan from Preston North End in 2020 before signing permanently and staying until 2023. He impressed at Walsall to earn the Preston switch before playing 89 times in maroon with 22 goals and 13 assists, comfortably the best spell of his career, in terms of appearances and output.
Ginnelly joined Swansea City after leaving Hearts but injury marred his time at the Welsh side currently in the English Championship, and he left them in September 2025. Now it’s been confirmed that he has made a bold move outside of the UK to join Turan Tovuz in the Azerbaijan top flight, some 3,349 miles standing between Tynecastle and Ginnelly’s new stomping ground at the Tovuz City Stadium. He has signed an 18-month deal as he exits free agency.
Who has Josh Ginnelly signed for?
A Tovuz statement read: “Josh Ginnelly in Turan Tovuz. 1.5 + 1 year contract has been signed with the English footballer. The 28-year-old striker, who wore the uniform of Swansea, who lastly competed in the British Championship, has maintained the honour of Shrewsbury, Burnley, Altrincham, Lincoln, Tranmere, Walsall, Preston, Bristol Rovers and Hearts in Scotland.”
Ginnelly said upon leaving Hearts: "I'm so proud to have played for this amazing club. I feel so proud to look back and see how far we've come over the last three years. Thank you to all of the staff who coached me through injuries and helped me through one of the toughest times of my career.
“Finally, thanks to all of the fans that have stuck by me throughout. You've made my time at Hearts and I'II forever be grateful for the uplifts and constant support."
Why did Josh Ginnelly leave Swansea City?
In terms of his exit from Swansea City earlier this season, they said: “Swansea City can confirm Josh Ginnelly has left the club after the parties reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract. The 28-year-old joined the Swans in the summer of 2023, but suffered a ruptured Achilles that kept him sidelined for more than 15 months, limiting him to 12 appearances. The club wishes Josh well in his future career.”
In the meantime back in Gorgie, Hearts are top of the Premiership, with a four point advantage on second placed Rangers. A draw with Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday ensured the current champions are yet to defeat the Jambos this season and they are third, six points off the leaders.
Boss Derek McInnes said: “Most teams would have been happy with a point against a team like Celtic, but we rattled them. It's not often you see Celtic time wasting and trying to run down the clock. It shows our character to dig out a point without key players. To come back twice tells me everything. For us to be top for four months is not just a purple patch and we want to keep the whole thing going."