Marc Leonard completes Hearts transfer from Birmingham City ahead of Celtic as Derek McInnes sends message
Hearts have announced their new signing ahead of the game in Gorgie vs Celtic.
Birmingham City midfielder Marc Leonard has signed for Hearts on a loan deal until the end of the season, the club have confirmed.
The former Jambos talent has returned to the team he featured for as a teenager ahead of this weekend’s Premiership clash with Celtic. Head coach Derek McInnes has been seeking midfield reinforcement after an injury to Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime’s suspension for the top of the table meeting at Tynecastle, and they have secured the impressive capture of the Scot still contracted to English Championship side Birmingham City.
It’s a straight loan until the summer with no option to buy mentioned by either side and his debut could come on Sunday. McInnes says the player knows the situation he is walking into as Hearts sit six points clear at the top of the league with the chance to make that gap nine over champions Celtic.
Why have Hearts signed Marc Leonard from Birmingham City?
McInnes said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to get Marc in and bolster the squad. Marc knows the club, he knows Scottish football, what it means and what’s at stake, and that is a really big positive for me. He’s clearly a very good player and he was keen to come here and be part of something that could be very special.”
A Hearts statement on Leonard reads: “Heart of Midlothian is delighted to confirm the loan signing of Marc Leonard from Birmingham City. The 24-year-old joins the Jambos – subject to Scottish FA approval and international clearance – from the English Championship side until the end of the season.
“Central midfielder Marc is no stranger to Gorgie, having spent his formative years in Hearts’ Academy. He made a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018. Working his way through the U18 Premier League and Premier League 2 squads, he made his first team debut for the Seagulls in 2021.
“Season 2022/23 saw Marc head out on loan to Northampton Town, where he helped The Cobblers to a third place in finish in League Two and with it, promotion to League One. The following season saw him return to Northampton on loan and he picked up where he left off, collecting both the Fans’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards as Northampton consolidated their League One status.
Birmingham City on Marc Leonard joining Hearts
“Those performances earned Marc a move to Birmingham City in 2024, and he would go on to feature in nearly every game in what was a title-winning campaign for the Blues as they lifted the League One trophy. This season Marc has turned out 17 times in a Birmingham shirt and can boast of more than 160 competitive appearances during his time south of the border. He now returns home to Gorgie to reinforce the Jam Tarts’ squad in a crucial period of the season, and could make his debut in maroon when Celtic come to town on Sunday.”
Birmingham City’s statement reads: “Birmingham City can confirm that Marc Leonard has joined Hearts on loan, subject to clearance. The 24-year-old links up with Scottish Premiership side for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Leonard joined Blues in the summer of 2024, making 47 appearances and scoring five goals in all competitions as Chris Davies' side won promotion to the Championship.
“He has made 17 appearances this season but now joins a Hearts side who sit six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. Everyone at Birmingham City wishes Marc the best for his loan spell at Tynecastle.”