Hartlepool United confirm permanent signing of striker Aidan Keena from Scottish Premiership side Hearts

Aidan Keena of Hearts celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Scottish Cup 5th Round match between Heart of Midlothian and Auchinleck Talbot at Tynecastle Stadium (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Dave Challinor revealed that Pools were closing in on a striker in his pre-match press conference.

United will have to wait until Keena's international clearance has gone through before he is able to play and therefore it is unlikely he will feature in Saturday’s match at Dover Athletic.

The 20-year-old has been handed the number 35 shirt which he also wore at his former club north of the border.

Keena has previously spent time on loan at Queen’s Park and Dunfermline over the past two years. Despite those successful loan spells, the young forward hasn’t been able to establish himself as a regular starter for Hearts.

The Irish youth international arrives at Victoria Park having scored three times in 12 appearances for Hearts in the first half of the 2019-20 campaign.