James Walker

Jamie Allan Walker (born 25 June 1993) is a Scottish footballer who plays for EFL League Two club Grimsby Town as an attacking midfielder or winger. He has previously played for Hearts, Raith Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Bradford City, and has also represented Scotland at every youth international level.

Early life Walker grew up in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh and attended Forrester High School. His great uncle was Tommy Walker, the former Hearts player and manager and Scottish international inside forward.

Club career Heart of Midlothian A member of Hearts under-19 squad, Walker's performances in the early part of the 2011–12 season earned him a new three-year contract extending his stay with the club until 2014.

With Hearts in financial difficulty and wanting to bring through members of their under-19 squad into the first team, Walker was sent on loan to Raith Rovers in November 2011 to gain first team experience. He made his debut for Raith on 26 November 2011, in their 3–2 win against Hamilton. Walker only trained one day a week with Raith, with the rest being spent with Hearts due to their use of astroturf causing greater risk of injury. On 4 January 2012 his loan deal was extended for another month. After a brief period back at Hearts, he returned to Raith on 31 January 2012 for the rest of the 2011/12 season. He scored his first goal for Raith on 11 February, in a 2–2 draw with Ross County.

Walker made his first team debut for Hearts on 18 August 2012, appearing as a substitute in the 2–2 draw with Inverness CT at Tynecastle. Walker capped off his debut season with an individual goal against St Mirren in May 2013. He was awarded Hearts' Overall "Young Player of the Year" for season 2012/13.