A FORMER Hearts midfielder is set to line up for Tranent Juniors as they kick off the 2017/18 season.

Neil Janczyk, who spent three years with the Tynecastle club and has also had spells at St Johnstone, Raith Rovers and Brechin, signed for the Foresters Park outfit last week after leaving Penicuik Athletic.

The experienced midfielder, who has more than 100 SPFL appearances to his name, hopes to add experience to the Belters’ squad as they look to build on their cup double last season.

Janczyk told Courier Sport: “I like to get on the ball and I’ve got a lot of experience – I played senior all my days until I was 31 when I joined Penicuik.

“I met Daz and Kenny [Darren Smith and Kenny Rafferty, Tranent Juniors co-managers] and the committee and I was really impressed by the set-up.

“I think they’ve done well in the cups last season but the focus will be on getting promoted next year and taking the club to where I think it belongs in the Superleague.”

The 34-year-old, who works as a carer in Edinburgh when he’s not on the football pitch, explained how the move to Foresters Park materialised.

He added: “I’ve known Daz a long time – we played together up at Brechin and we’ve kept in touch ever since.

“He knew I had put in a transfer request at Penicuik and he asked me if I was interested in coming along.

“I’m looking forward to it – it is a club on the up at the moment.”

And Janczyk said he felt the time was right to leave Superleague outfit Penicuik, who are managed by ex-Haddington Athletic boss Johnny Harvey.

He said: “I had been there for three years and I just felt like it was the right time to move on and do something different.

“I loved my time at Penicuik and I don’t have a bad word to say about them – I wish them well for next season.”

After more than 100 games for Penicuik, the veteran midfielder was “looking forward” to getting started at Foresters Park.

Meanwhile, Tranent also confirmed that a hero of their Fife & Lothians Cup triumph would be a more permanent face around the club next season.

Craig Pucko, who played in the semi-final and final as the Belters ended their 40-year wait for cup glory, has been appointed as the club’s goalkeeping coach.