Heart of Midlothian manager Craig Levein has been discussing the acquisition of Sean Clare, and has outlined how Sheffield Wednesday missed out on a significant sum of money due to his move to Scotland.

The 22-year old joined the current Scottish Premier League leaders this month, having apparently been the subject of interest from English clubs as well as the Edinburgh side. Levein explained that in moving to Hearts, he has potentially cost Jos Luhukay's side a huge sum of money.

“What has been good for us is that, for Sean to go from Sheffield Wednesday to another Championship club or a Premier League club in England, if they don’t agree on a fee, it would then go to a tribunal. That could be set at seven figures," he told the Daily Record.

Due to Clare's choice of switching county, not just clubs, the fee is dramatically reduced, much to Levein's delight.

“Cross-border compensation is more straightforward, black and white. They’re a category two club and we’re a category two club. So it’s €60,000 for every year he was at Sheffield Wednesday – and he’s been there two-and-a-half years."

That made it possible to take the talented attacking midfielder to Tynecastle for a far smaller sum than originally intended.

“The question then became could Hearts find €150,000 (just over £140,000) to invest in a player we would normally not be able to sign."

Clare spent time with the Nike Academy, joining the Owls in 2016. He went on to make five appearances for them, scoring once, before leaving in the summer.

The Verdict

It could have been an expensive transfer for Hearts. Had they been in England it would certainly have cost more and that perhaps that put some potential suitors off.

He's now playing for one of the leading sides in Scotland and doubtless Sheffield Wednesday are cursing their luck, not least because of their current financial situation.

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