By Barry Anderson
Hearts defender Lewis Neilson has joined Falkirk on loan for season 2025/26. After leading the club to successive promotions to reach the Scottish Premiership, manager John McGlynn expressed his delight at securing Neilson鈥檚 services. The 22-year-old did not feature in any of Hearts鈥 two pre-season friendlies in Spain last week and has now left Riccarton for his second spell at Falkirk. He previously played there aged 17 on loan from Dundee United. His contract at Tynecastle Park is due to expire in summer 2026 so Neilson is preparing for a critical campaign in his career. 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to get Lewis in, he鈥檚 a player we鈥檝e had our eye on for some time and he fits a lot of the credentials that we鈥檙e looking for,鈥 McGlynn told the Falkirk website. 鈥淗e鈥檚 gained a lot of experience for a player so young at 22 years of age, coming through at Dundee United and then moving on to Hearts, and loan deals with Falkirk, Partick Thistle, and St Johnstone last season, he鈥檚 played a lot of games, particularly in the Premiership. 鈥淗e鈥檚 got a lot of football in front of him, he鈥檚 someone that I feel can make us better, and it鈥檚 a good opportunity for him to continue his development. It鈥檚 great to have Lewis on board and I look forward to working with him this season.鈥 Competition in central defence at Hearts is stronger this season than it has been for years. Head coach Derek McInnes signed Stuart Findlay on loan from Oxford United to add to Michael Steinwender, Craig Halkett, Frankie Kent, Jamie McCart, Stephen Kingsley and Harry Milne. That leaves Neilson surplus to requirements. Hearts issued a statement confirming the player鈥檚 move. It read: 鈥淟ewis Neilson has joined Falkirk on loan. The defender will spend the 2025/26 campaign at the Falkirk Stadium, subject to Scottish FA approval. 鈥22-year-old Lewis spent the first half of last season on loan at St Johnstone before returning to the Jambos in January. He would go on to feature seven times in maroon, taking his total Hearts appearances to 23 since moving from Dundee United in June 2022. Everyone at the club wishes Lewis all the best at Falkirk.鈥 Neilson joins his Hearts team-mates Macaulay Tait and Liam McFarlane in signing loan agreements for the 2025/26 campaign. After teenage midfielder Tait headed to Livingston last month, 20-year-old goalkeeper McFarlane finalised a season-long loan at Alloa Athletic on Monday. His move is designed to give him more first-team experience, but he will also train with the first-team squad at Riccarton regularly. Those will not be the last departures from Hearts as McInnes looks to reduce numbers. Six new signings have arrived so far – Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu, Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee, Portuguese striker Claudio Braga and Scottish centre-back Findlay. As well as striker Lawrence Shankland returning on a three-year contract, wingers Sabah Kerjota and Pierre Landry Kaboure are close to signing for the Edinburgh club. They are due in Gorgie for medicals this week and could be in place by the time Saturday鈥檚 Premier Sports Cup begins against Dunfermline Athletic. READ MORE: Medicals at Hearts with transfer fees and contract terms agreed