Last updated on .From the section Hearts

Miguel Pallardo joined Hearts last summer

Spanish midfielder Miguel Pallardo has won a new one-year contract with Hearts after helping the Edinburgh side win promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

The 28-year-old joined the Tynecastle club last summer after leaving Levante in his homeland.

Pallardo made 25 appearances as Hearts won the Championship title.

Head coach Robbie Neilson said: "He was a massive player for us in the Championship and he'll play a vital part for us in this upcoming campaign."

Pallardo, a former Spain Under-21 international, began his career with Valencia and also had spells with Getafe and Almeria before moving to Scotland.

"Miguel's happy here and he's settled," Neilson told Hearts' website. "His family is over and he wanted to stay.

Robbie Neilson is hopeful of announcing new signings soon

"He's been taking language lessons and his English is coming on leaps and bounds and he's enjoying playing his football at Hearts, so there was a desire from all parties to get the deal done.

"To get a player of Miguel's caliber over here and playing in the Championship was incredible. His last game in Spain was at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid."

Neilson has yet to find a replacement for departing captain Danny Wilson, the defender having rejected the offer of a new contract.

"We're working hard and looking at players to bring in," added Neilson.

"I've always said that we'll bring in the right players, ones that will fit in here and improve the team.

" Hopefully we'll have some positive news on that front in the next couple of weeks."