Spartans sign Scotland youth interntionalist Daniel Baur from Hearts - one of three new faces

Riccarton academy product chooses to stay in Edinburgh

Daniel Baur has joined Spartans after leaving Hearts.

Spartans have signed Daniel Baur on a one-year contract following his release from Hearts. Manager Dougie Samuel said he expects the young defender to become a key player next season.

Baur put pen to paper at Ainslie Park over the weekend along with midfielders John Grant and Sam Jones. The triumvirate strengthen the Lowland League club’s squad, Baur being the most high-profile recruit.

He played twice in the Hearts first team and represented Scotland at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-19 level. He is comfortable at centre-back and left-back and Samuel is pleased to secure the versatile 21-year-old.

Samuel said: “I’m delighted to have secured Dan’s services for next season. He comes with an excellent pedigree and Lowland League experience from last season when on loan at Bonnyrigg from Hearts.

“His flexibility is an added bonus, equally important, his best years are in front of him. We look forward to helping him develop and grow into becoming a key part of our spine and player for us.”

Grant is returning to Spartans for a second time and Samuel believes he will be a good influence.

“John’s return has been a year in the making. His technical ability, will to win, desire to improve and experience are all attributes I expect to rub off on our younger players,” said the manager on his club’s website.

“John will be a positive influence around the place. He’s also a winner, someone who has won trophies as part of the club in the past, and brings a proven pedigree to our group.”

Samuel is also excited about adding a goalscoring threat from the middle of the park in the shape of Jones.

“Sam is someone we’ve been tracking and trying to get for a couple of seasons. He will bring energy to the middle of the park which we’ve missed since David Greenhill stepped back from playing full-time,” he said.

“He’s also a good age, is someone with the potential to improve and is hungry to prove himself at a higher level. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

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