James Penrice has revealed Heart of Midlothian was the "only place" for him to play his football after a meeting with Steven Naismith.

The club announced the signing of the 25-year-old on a three-year deal on Tuesday morning, the defender becoming the first arrival of the summer transfer window subject to Scottish FA approval.

Penrice's signing has been anticipated, as well as the likes of Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda having agreed to a pre-contract during the final six months of their respective contracts with Livingston, Motherwell and Ross County.

READ MORE: What Hearts can expect from James Penrice: Technique, drive, bags of potential

The player, in an interview with HeartsTV, explained why he thought Hearts was the perfect next step in his career and the role Naismith played in convincing him to come to Tynecastle Park.

"I just thought it was the gradual next step for me," he said. "I met the manager earlier on in the season and the project they had I thought suited me to a T and was the right place to develop. I’m just absolutely buzzing to be here.

"He spoke about my game, he spoke about the club, how big the club was and the challenge the players have at the club. As soon as I left the meeting I was thinking, 'That’s the only place for me'. It was tied up pretty quickly."