(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Hayden Panettiere seemingly has her eyes set on a new hunky beau.

The Heroes star was spotted out on a daytime date in California's glamorous Orange County enjoying a burger at restaurant In-N-Out with American football team New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez on Monday.

"They seemed very close and very happy," an eyewitness told New York Daily News. "When they walked out of the fast food restaurant, Mark was flashing a huge smile."

Mark is also believed to have footed the bill.

Mark and Hayden met months ago and "hit it off instantly and exchanged numbers". However, at the time Hayden was in serious relationship with Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.

After Hayden and Wladimir called time on their relationship two weeks ago, it appears the 21-year-old actress has quickly moved on to setting the stage for romance with Mark, another fetching athlete.

Although the sparks are flying, it has been reported the pair is trying to keep their clandestine affair from the public eye. (C) Cover Media