Ryan Porteous: Hibernian defender turns down offer of new contract

Ryan Porteous will be a free agent at the end of this season

Hibernian have announced that defender Ryan Porteous has rejected the offer of "a highly-improved new deal".

The 23-year-old, capped once for Scotland earlier this year, will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Since making his debut in July 2017, Porteous has made 150 Hibs appearances, scoring 12 goals.

Porteous will be free to talk to other teams from January and the Edinburgh club may look to sell when the winter transfer window opens.

Hibs released a statement shortly after manager Lee Johnson had addressed the situation in interviews following a 2-0 friendly loss to Middlesbrough.

"He ain't signing a new contract," Johnson was quoted as saying.

"At the end of the day, we've offered a fantastic contract, a really big one for the football club and in my eyes a contract that should have been offered two-and-a-half years earlier for a player of that quality.

"I've got no issue with Ryan at all. He turned down the best contact we could offer and therefore is seeking pastures new. I think potentially a January sale would be the best idea if we realise the fee."

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