Stuart Findlay, born in Scotland on 14 September 1995, is a central defender for Hearts. With a height of 1.91m (6ft 3in) and weighing 82kg (12st 12lb), he exudes a physical presence on the field, a necessity for his preferred position. The Hearts jersey bearing the number 19 is donned by Findlay whenever he steps onto the field.
Findlay's career was initiated at Celtic, in the Scottish Premiership, but he soon found himself loaned out to Greenock Morton in January 2014. Despite this being his debut season, Findlay chalked up 14 first-team appearances in league matches. His journey continued with another loan in January 2015 to Dumbarton in the Scottish League Two, where he made another 15 first-team league appearances.
Findlay spent the 2015 - 2016 season with Kilmarnock, initially on loan from Celtic. Not just a journeyman, Findlay honed his skills and earned his place, making 22 first team appearances. The seasons that followed saw him steadily increase his contribution, eventually scoring three goals in the 2017 - 2018 season and subsequent 2018 - 2019 season, totalling 63 appearances over these two years. Despite an uneven path, Findlay remained a constant figure on the pitch, accruing significant experience within the Scottish Premiership.
In a somewhat surprising move in July 2016, Findlay transferred from Celtic to English Premier League giants, Newcastle United. However, his tenure in England was short-lived, and he found himself back in Scotland, on loan to Kilmarnock once again. From 2018 onwards, Findlay enjoyed a consistent run in the Kilmarnock first team, making regular appearances and even chipping in with goals. His solid performances prompted Kilmarnock to make the transfer from Newcastle permanent in July 2018.
After more than half a decade at Kilmarnock, Findlay sought fresh pastures, moving across the Atlantic to join the MLS side, Philadelphia Union, in February 2021 for a fee around £250,000. He spent the 2021 season making seven first-team appearances for Philadelphia Union and added another four to his tally in 2022.
Findlay moved back to England in July 2022 to Oxford United, playing in the Championship. He clocked up 28 first team appearances in the 2022 - 2023 season but was soon off to Scotland once again, this time on loan to Kilmarnock for the 2023 - 2024 season.
Following the completion of his loan at Kilmarnock, Findlay returned to Oxford United in June 2025. The next step in his career came just a month later when he transferred on loan to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. As of the current 2025 - 2026 season, Findlay has made an impressive start, scoring three goals in his first three first-team appearances. He has also participated in the League Cup for Hearts, getting on the scoresheet once in his four appearances.
The career of Stuart Findlay is emblematic of a player unafraid to navigate the winding paths of football, always seeking the next opportunity for growth and improvement, and steadfastly contributing to every team he is part of.
