Craig Levein has made his second signing of the January transfer window with the addition of Conor Shaughnessy.

The 22-year-old defender joins Hearts on loan until the end of the season from EFL Championship side Leeds United, subject to international clearance.

Capped from U15s up to U21 level for Republic of Ireland, Conor came through the youth system at Reading and was a regular in both the U18s and U21 teams before leaving for Leeds United in 2016.

He made his professional debut in a 3-2 win at Bolton Wanderers in August 2017, then made his first start in the following game; a 4-1 League Cup victory over Port Vale.

Conor signed a new four-year deal at Elland Road a month later, before injury ruled him out of action for the remainder of the season, having played 14 games that campaign.

He returned to action in August 2018, featuring in Leeds’ 2-0 EFL Cup defeat to Preston NE.

Connor will join fellow new boy David Vanecek at the club’s winter training camp in Spain when the team fly out tomorrow.