Stuart Findlay, born on the 14th of September 1995 in Scotland, remains a solid figure within the realm of football at age 30. He currently serves as a robust central defender for Hearts, with his towering height of 6ft 3in (1.91m) and sturdy weight of 12st 12lb (82kg), bolstering his formidable presence on the pitch. The number 19 jersey has become synonymous with his name at Hearts.
Findlay's journey commenced with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. He was loaned to Greenock Morton in the Championship in January 2014, and here, he got his first taste of senior football, making 14 appearances in the league during the 2013-2014 season. The following year, he temporarily parted ways with Celtic and moved to Dumbarton in League Two, standing strong in 15 league matches for the latter part of the 2014-2015 season.
In July 2015, Findlay again sprouted wings from Celtic, this time landing at Kilmarnock in the Premiership. During the 2015-2016 season, he featured in 22 league matches, marking a consistent rise in his outings. Following a one-season migratory diversion to Newcastle United in the Premier League, he returned to Kilmarnock on a loan spell, which saw enhanced performances and an uptick in goals during the 2017-2018 season, netting thrice in his 32 appearances. Over the ensuing seasons till 2020-2021, he represented Kilmarnock in a total of 110 league matches, impressing with the consistency of his performances.
A shift in footballing continents took place in February 2021 when Findlay crossed the Atlantic to join the Philadelphia Union in the MLS for a fee nearing £250k. Though his time was limited with only 11 league appearances across two seasons, his footballing journey continued unabated.
Returning to the British Isles in July 2022, Findlay joined Oxford United in the Championship. His first season saw him clocking in 28 league appearances. However, his attachment to Scotland pulled him back once more in July 2023 with a loan move to his former club, Kilmarnock. During this season and the next, Findlay added 54 more appearances to his tally, continuing his consistent run in the game.
After returning to Oxford United in June 2025 post a two-season loan, he soon once again made his way back to Scotland, finding himself employed with Hearts in the Premiership for the 2025-2026 season. So far, he's proudly donned his kit for 18 matches, showing promise in front of goal with four to his name.
In sum, Stuart Findlay's journey through the volatile terrains of football has been marked by perseverance, hard work, and love for the Scottish game. His meteoric rise and stalwartness on the field are clear testimony to his indomitable spirit.
