Hearts have completed the signing of Northern Ireland internationalNorthern Ireland on a free transfer.

The 39-year-old, who played with technical director Steven Naismith at Norwich City, has penned a one-year deal with the option of a further year and will provide back up for Zander Clark.

He becomes the Jambos’ first signing of the summer after leaving the Canaries at the end of his contract in June.

Number one Craig Gordon remains on the long-term injury list with a double leg break sustained in December’s draw with Dundee United.

McGovern previously represented Ross County, Falkirk and Hamilton Academical in Scotland after coming through the youth system at Celtic.

He also had spells at Stranraer, St Johnstone and United prior to moving to England on the back of a string of impressive displays at the 2016 Euros.

Hearts head coach Frankie McAvoy said his experience would be “invaluable” to younger members of the squad.

“He’s got great character but, most importantly, he’s a first-class goalkeeper and you only need to look at the career he’s had to see that,” he told the club’s website.

“He’ll push Zander all the way in the training as we head towards the start of the season, and I’m certain our young goalkeepers will find his experience invaluable

Naismith added: “With departures from last season and Craig Gordon working hard on his rehabilitation, we were a bit short in the goalkeeping department so when the opportunity came up to bring someone of Michael’s pedigree in, it was really a no brainer.

“The experience he’s amassed playing at the highest level in Scotland, England and internationally will be massive benefit to the squad as a whole, but particularly our goalkeepers.

“We’re excited about Harry Stone’s prospects and Michael coming in allows him to get even more game time, be it with the B Team or a loan move, with a view to him coming into the first team squad.”

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Since securing a resolution to grant planning permission from Norwich City Council in April, Weston Homes has been liaising with stakeholders. It has agreed the final form of the Section 106 agreement with the council and believes itself to be on the verge of secuign full planning consent.

The controversial scheme will see the demolition of a 1960s shopping centre and the construction of 1,100 new homes ranging across buildings of between three and eight storeys, designed around inner courtyards, a public square and a pedestrian precinct.

Earlier plans with a 20-storey tower were thrown out by the then secretary of state Robert Jenrick despite a public inquiry resulting in the planning inspector backing the scheme. Weston then revised its plans for the 4.65-hectare (11.5-acre) scheme.

At the end of this month Weston Homes expects to be updated by Homes England on its stance on the project, and this will then enable further liaison with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC). These regulatory processes are anticipated to be finished by the end of October 2023, enabling Weston Homes to look at starting work on the redevelopment

Once the planning approval is formalised, Weston Homes will take over ownership of the Anglia Square site from current landowner Columbia Threadneedle.

The first phase of development will see the demolition of the multi-storey car park, unused since 2012, with the cinema block anticipated to be demolished next, towards the end of 2024, with Sovereign House to follow in 2026.

During the construction period the development will create circa 2,211 direct construction jobs, Weston says.