Australian defender Dylan McGowan has joined Adelaide United after a lengthy stint with Scottish club Heart of Midlothian, the A-League side said on Friday.

McGowan, 22, signed a two-season deal with the Reds after spending the last six seasons contracted to Hearts, where he made 64 senior appearances for the Edinburgh club.

McGowan, the younger brother of Australia's World Cup defender Ryan McGowan, who is currently in Brazil with the national team, said he was keen to make a new start to his career.

"I enjoyed my time at Hearts and after spending six years away from home, I knew the time was right," he said.