Hearts icon Craig Gordon has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at Tynecastle through the 2025/26 season, as his previous deal was set to expire this summer.
The veteran goalkeeper, who recently turned 42 and will be 43 in December, has been a consistent presence between the sticks for both Hearts and the Scotland national team—though he is missing from Scotland’s June squad due to an injury sustained late in the 2024/25 Premiership campaign. Gordon remained Hearts’ first-choice keeper throughout the domestic and European seasons, supported by Zander Clark and Ryan Fulton.
His contract renewal is one of the first key moves announced since Derek McInnes officially took over as manager earlier this week. Hearts also confirmed the signing of Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis from Slovak side MFK Zemplín Michalovce.
Gordon’s Loyalty to Hearts Continues
Having begun his career at Hearts in the early 2000s, Gordon is now in his second spell with the club. He won the Scottish Cup before making a then-record £9 million move to Sunderland—the highest fee paid for a goalkeeper in Britain at the time. Since returning, he’s played a crucial role in Hearts’ return to the top flight and has now made 330 appearances in maroon.
Speaking about the extension, Gordon said:
“It’s a massive honour to keep playing for this great club. Since first walking through the doors of the old main stand in 1999, this has always been where I wanted to be. I took time to make sure it was the right decision, and I’m excited for the new season. I want to make it better than the last and be part of the new era under Derek McInnes. I’m ready to give everything to help this team succeed.”
Club Statement Celebrates Milestones
Hearts released a statement confirming Gordon’s extension, praising his achievements and longevity:
“Heart of Midlothian is thrilled to confirm that Craig Gordon has signed a contract extension, keeping him at the club until summer 2026. Craig has been a near ever-present this season and broke numerous records along the way.”
He became the club’s record European appearance holder during September’s Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen, and in November, he marked his 300th match for the club in a Conference League game against FC Heidenheim. In December, Gordon registered his 100th clean sheet for Hearts in a 2-0 win over Dundee and has added four more since. The club described him as a “legend at Tynecastle Park” and emphasized his continued role in a new chapter under McInnes.
Reflecting on a Challenging Season
Gordon also recently shared his thoughts on a tough year for Hearts, who finished in the bottom half of the league table and underwent two managerial changes—first Steven Naismith, then Neil Critchley.
On social media, Gordon admitted:
“This season didn’t live up to expectations. There were some memorable moments—big results with Scotland against Croatia, Portugal, and Poland—but not enough to stay in Nations League Group A.
“Personally, there were great milestones: a penalty shootout win in Paisley, reaching 50 Scotland caps while at Hearts, becoming the club’s top European appearance holder, and hitting 300 games in maroon. But I wanted more success on the pitch. It was a tough year in many ways, and we didn’t deliver what the club and fans deserved. Now it’s time to move on, rebuild, and come back stronger. I know this club, and I believe we will.”
