Heart of Midlothian have confirmed the departure of academy player Rocco Friel who has joined Queens Park Rangers.

The right-back, 17, has left the Jambos' development squad after three years at Tynecastle. QPR have paid an undisclosed fee for the talented young Scottish defender.

Friel - who spent eight years at Rangers before spending time in Gorgie - will officially join the Championship club on July 1.

READ MORE: The additions Hearts are putting in place at Tynecastle Park for next season

He has represented Scotland at Under-17 and Under-19 levels, including featuring in the Under-17 Euros in 2023.

He made 14 appearances for Hearts B team in 2023/24, scoring two goals and grabbing three assists from the right flank.

“I am really looking forward to it, I can’t wait to get started," Friel commented. “The pathway here looks really good. When I spoke to the club they said everything that as a player you want to hear.

“They have shown they have belief in me and I couldn’t say no to this opportunity.”

Friel added: “I want to settle in and then I will be striving to get into the first team. That has to be the aim.”

CEO Christian Nourry said: "The identification and subsequent acquisition of Friel are signs of how this football club intends to operate going forward: by providing impressive young talent with the opportunity to seize a pathway to play first-team football at Championship level and beyond. It is up to Rocco now to make that a reality."