Boost for Hearts as Beni Baningime signs new two-year contract

Hearts claim they have shown a “sign of intent” for next season after Beni Baningime signed a new contract with the club.

The influential midfielder was reaching the end of his current Tynecastle deal but has now committed until the summer of 2026.

Baningime joined Hearts from Everton three years ago and has made 80 appearances for the club, scoring twice.

A cruciate ligament injury suffered in March 2022 forced him out for over a year but he came back to play a key role in his side finishing third in the Premiership and securing group stage football in Europe next season.

Hearts head coach Steven Naismith said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve got this sorted and Beni has committed his future to the club.

“I think everyone can see that he is now getting back to his best on the pitch, which was always going to take a bit of time given the rehabilitation process he had to go through.

“The exciting thing for me is that Beni is only going to get better. There is more to come from him and that bodes very well for the team heading into next season.”

Sporting director Joe Savage added: “It’s a real sign of intent ahead of another big season to get an established senior player like Beni to commit his future to the club.

“The impact he’s made since coming here has been huge, not just on the pitch but in the dressing room too, so we’re delighted he’s staying.

“It’s been a successful season and we want to build upon that for our next campaign. Keeping Beni is part of that and our supporters can rest assured that we’re working hard in the background to ensure that 2024/25 is another memorable campaign for Heart of Midlothian Football Club.”

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— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 17, 2024

Hearts announced on Thursday that Peter Haring, Michael McGovern, and Andy Halliday will all leave the club when their contracts end after Saturday’s match.