Frankie Kent: Former Heart of Midlothian defender joins Oxford United

Oxford United have completed the signing of defender Frankie Kent on a free transfer from Heart of Midlothian. The 30-year-old centre-back joins the League One club following his departure from the Scottish side.

Kent spent three seasons at Tynecastle, making 95 appearances and scoring four goals for Hearts. In the most recent campaign, he featured 25 times as the Edinburgh club were pipped to the Scottish Premiership title. His performances during that period have secured him a move to English football.

The defender brings considerable experience from his earlier career. He began his professional journey with Colchester United, where he made 141 appearances before moving on to Peterborough United. At Peterborough, Kent established himself as a consistent performer, making 149 league appearances across four seasons with the club.

A manager at Oxford United expressed his satisfaction with completing the signing swiftly. Ramsey stated: "I had very positive conversations with the club before arriving about the business we wanted to complete this summer and I'm delighted we've moved quickly to bring in a player of Frankie's quality and character."

The signing represents a significant addition to Oxford United's defensive options ahead of the new season. Kent's free transfer status removes any financial barriers that might have hindered the club's recruitment, allowing them to move quickly in securing his services. His extensive experience at various levels, combined with his recent stint in the Scottish Premiership, brings valuable expertise to the League One outfit. The 30-year-old will be hoping to make an immediate impact as Oxford United prepare for their upcoming campaign.