Hibernian

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Hibernian suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly at the Premier League club's training facility.

Andoni Iraola named a strong side for the match, with Philip Billing and Evanilson on target for the Cherries, who finished ninth in England's top tier last term.

Kieron Bowie pulled one back in the second half for David Gray's men, who had been using Bournemouth's training ground to prepare for the new season.

Bournemouth have offered Hibernian the chance to sign on loan some of the promising young players who will play against them in Tuesday's pre-season friendly behind closed doors, but the Scottish Premiership club will only take them if they are ready to play first-team football . (Hibs Central), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Jordan Obita is the latest Hibernian defender to agree new terms at Easter Road, extending his stay until the summer of 2027.

The 31-year-old moved to Edinburgh from Wycombe Wanderers two years ago and had 12 months to run on his previous contract.

He has made 87 appearances for Hibs, scoring twice and providing seven assists.

Fellow defenders Rocky Bushiri, Lewis Miller, Jack Iredale and Chris Cadden have all signed new deals in the past few months.

"He's an important part of the squad and has shown real consistency since joining us a couple of years ago," said head coach David Gray.

"Jordan adds flexibility to the backline being able to play at left-wing back and on the left-side of the back three and has attributes that help us defensively and going forward."

Called up by Uganda this year, Obita spent 10 years at Reading before stints with Oxford United and Wycombe.

Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay called the year's extension "a really positive step", adding that Obita was "a fantastic role model for our younger players".

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We asked for your views after Hibernian broke their transfer record to sign Togo striker Thibault Klidje from Luzern.

The fee is undisclosed, but Hibs' previous record was the purchase of Ecuadorian defender Ulises de La Cruz back in 2001 for a fee of around £700,000.

Here's how some of you reacted:

John: Klidje looks a great signing. Pace, power and guile and he's already proven himself in a good league. Watching his highlights there is more than a touch of Martin Boyle about him, which can only be a good thing. Great to see the club showing ambition and backing David Gray.

Scott: Must be some player if Hibs splash that amount of cash on him. Good luck!

Disco: It's an ambitious but risky signing. Then again so were Dylan Vente and Elias Melkersen and we made profit on them when it didn't work out. Just need one more striker plus Nectar Triantis and we're good 'Togo'.

Mark: I worry a bit about this kind of signing, considering how much money we have wasted since the Gordon family took over. A lot of our more expensive signings haven't really worked out. Hopefully Malky MacKay and Gray know what they are doing here, and at least Gray has shown he can get more out of players than our previous managers. I do wonder why we'd spend £1m or so on a gamble from abroad, though, when we could have had the likes of Sam Dalby for free.

Ted: Can only hope he hits the ground running, unlike the other "big" signings we've had in previous seasons. Seen some fans of rival teams laughing about his rating on Fifa, they won't be laughing when he puts a few away against them.

Liam: We are winning the lot.

Derek: This signing underpins our desire to kick on after our great finish last season. The Gordon family have stepped up in my opinion. Very pleasing.

Neil: Hopefully the real deal, and not another guy who looks good on a few YouTube videos. But got to give the boy a chance to adapt to Scottish football and the media scrutiny.

Hibernian will have to wait at least two weeks before finding out about the potential return of Nectar Triantis as Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris wants to assess the 22-year-old midfielder in pre-season training following his loan at Easter Road last season. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hibernian say they have broken their transfer record to sign "young, driven, ambitious" striker Thibault Klidje from Luzern.

The 24-year-old has signed a three-year deal at Easter Road, with Hibs having the option to add another year.

The fee is undisclosed, but Hibs' previous transfer record was the purchase of Ecuadorian defender Ulises de La Cruz back in 2001, for a fee of around £700,000.

How do you feel about David Gray's latest signing?

Give us your take on the new forward here.

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Hibs academy pair goalkeeper Freddie Owens and forward Dean Cleland have joined East Kilbride on cooperation loans for the upcoming season.

The 19-year-old keeper impressed last season at Civil Service Strollers in the Lowland League and makes the move to the newly promoted League Two outfit for the forthcoming campaign.

Cleland, 17, also impressed last term scoring 38 times for the Edinburgh club's Under-18s side and helped them to the CAS Elite Youth League title.

As a result of the new Cooperation system, the pair will be able to continue playing for Hibs while also gaining experience with their partner club.

"Freddie did very well at Civil Service Strollers last season in what was a good campaign for them, and Dean really impressed in our Under-18s team," Hibs' Academy Director Gareth Evans told club media, external.

"Challenging themselves in League Two, and playing for a good club like East Kilbride, is great for Freddie and Dean in terms of their development and hopefully both will now get minutes at a higher level."

Austria Vienna are among the clubs interested in Kwon Hyeok-kyu, with the 24-year-old Celtic midfielder who was on loan to Hibernian last season available for a fee of between £173,000 and £260,000. (Fussball Europa), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Jamie McGrath says he got off to "a dream start" by scoring the first goal for Hibernian in their friendly win against Rot-Weiss Essen.

The Republic of Ireland international made his mark inside two minutes against the third-tier German side, tapping in from close range after visiting goalkeeper Jakob Golz saved his initial shot.

Goals from Junior Hoilett and Martin Boyle secured a 3-2 win for David Gray's side.

"It was a good game, it was a good workout," McGrath told HibsTV. "I think at this stage of the season that is the main thing.

"We all got stuff out of it and we had some good moments as well, but a lot to improve on."

Midfielder McGrath, 28, who joined this summer on a four-year deal from Aberdeen admits he is still "learning" the ropes at Hibs.

"Still learning how the gaffer and how the lads play but a really enjoyable night at Easter Road in front of the crowd," he added.

"It kind of felt like a European game, it didn't feel like a friendly at all so a really positive experience.

"It was probably a dream start, the first touch, I should have scored and then I scored with the rebound.

"Millsy (Lewis Miller) done really well down the wing and put in a lovely ball.

"He was raging that he didn't get the assist because I missed the first one but a great start."

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Head coach David Gray said there are "positive signs" to the knock Lewis Miller suffered in Hibernian's pre-season friendly win over Rot-Weiss Essen is not serious.

The defender had a "contact injury" in the first half and was substituted after just 32 minutes at Easter Road.

"He's obviously had a bit of a knock in the first half," Gray told club media. "We think that's just a contact injury.

"I don't want to tempt fate, but there are positive signs on that one."

There were also positive signs in Hibs' play as they fought for victory against the German third-tier side.

Despite losing a two-goal lead, Martin Boyle would go on to net the winner to secure a 3-2 victory.

"I think it was a fantastic exercise," Gray added. "I thought we started really well, the first half especially we were excellent.

"We were slow in the second half. We lost a couple of poor goals and we changed the shape a bit.

"The subs came on and then we got a bit more of a foothold in the game again. It's great to then go and win the game.

"I know it's only pre-season, but it's not a bad habit to get into, especially here at Easter Road where our form has been good."

Hibernian head coach David Gray has warned top transfer target Nectar Triantis that the Easter Road club have multiple targets for the key role in central midfield as the 22-year-old contemplates his future with Sunderland after last season's loan in Leith. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

The Hibs boss is looking for "the right type of player" to enhance his squad before the summer transfer window closes. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Gray hopes having taken Lewis Miller and Elie Youan off with knocks quickly in the friendly win over Essen will have protected the Hibernian duo from more serious injuries. (Sun), external

Scott Allan, formerly of Hibs, has joined SPFL newcomers East Kilbride's coaching staff. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Hibernian celebrated their 150th anniversary with a 3-2 friendly victory over German third-tier side Rot-Weiss Essen at Easter Road.

Club legend Pat Stanton commemorated the renaming of the East Stand in his honour by delivering the match ball before kick-off as summer signings Raphael Sallinger, Josh Mulligan and Jamie McGrath were handed their first starts of pre-season.

It had been 70 years since Rot-Weiss Essen visited Leith in Hibs' first-ever European tie and McGrath would fire Hibs ahead after just 70 seconds this one.

The former Aberdeen midfielder finished from close range on the rebound after goalkeeper Jakob Golz saved his initial effort.

Veteran forward Junior Hoilett increased the lead with a curling drive, but the visitors reduced the arrears 40 seconds into the second half after replacing their entire starting XI during the break.

Striker Dominik Martinovic swept home a low cross and, five minutes later, fired past Sallinger from long range.

Home winger Martin Boyle restored the lead from 18 yards before Sallinger saved a Torben Musel penalty in the closing minutes, much to the disappointment of a large visiting support who had been hoping for a repeat of the European Cup draw the sides fought out in Leith in 1955.

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Few folks will feel the love around Easter Road more than Rocky Bushiri.

The 'will he, won't he' trepidation around a contract extension was ended at the end of last month when the defender penned a new three-year deal.

Broadcaster Grant Stott was just one of many Hibs fans who were buzzing when the big man committed his future to the club as he's someone the team have been "crying out for".

"What's come to light with his contract extension was the influence he has in the dressing room, the character that he is," Stott said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"We've been crying out, for a sort of Yogi-type personality in the back there that will shout and ball, but has everybody's respect.

"I think Rocky is the man for that.

"He's got a mistake in him, of course he has, every player will have a mistake in them. at some point... It's just that he, like a goalkeeper, is in such a crucial position where if he makes a wee fluff, then it can be potentially quite scary.

"But the amount of times he's recovered and pulled it back is impressive as well.

"I'm just delighted that Rocky's back on board."

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Hibernian were beaten 6-3 by Ajax in the second behind-closed-doors friendly of their Dutch pre-season camp.

Experienced striker Steven Berghuis scored the first two goals at the Amsterdam club's training centre, with impressive winger Mika Godts also grabbing a brace after a reply from visiting skipper Martin Boyle.

Kian Fitz-Jim made it 5-1 to the hosts before the interval as Hibs struggled to deal with an aggressive press.

Ahmetcan Kaplan nodded in Ajax's sixth goal with a free header from a corner early in the second half as both sides made a raft of changes.

Junior Hoilett, who agreed a new one-year deal this week, added a lovely second goal for Hibs, set up by summer signing Josh Mulligan, and Kieron Bowie scrambled in from close range late in the game to make the scoreline more respectable.

Kyle McClelland is set to remain in Northern Ireland by signing for Glenavon after the 23-year-old defender was released by Hibernian following his loan to Coleraine. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Listen as Martin Dowden previews new season for Hibernian with fan and broadcaster Grant Stott and podcaster Harry McArthur.

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Hibernian have renamed the East stand of Easter Road as the 'Pat Stanton Stand' in honour of one of their greatest sons.

A boyhood Hibee, Stanton made his debut at 19 and went on to make 617 appearances during a 13-year stay, scoring 78 goals - one of which was the opener as Hibs won the League Cup in 1972, defeating Celtic.

The Pat Stanton Stand will "serve as a lasting tribute to his achievements and legacy, inspiring future players and supporters for many years to come." said chairman, Ian Gordon.

The official unveiling will take place on Wednesday, 9 July ahead of Hibs' anniversary match with Rot-Weiss Essen.

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Hibernian were held to a goalless draw by German outfit MSV Duisburg in their first pre-season friendly in the Netherlands.

Summer signing Raphael Sallinger started in goal for David Gray's side - who were a mixture of youth and experience - while midfielder Jamie McGrath came off the bench.

Youngsters Dean Cleland, Lewis Gillie, and Jacob MacIntyre all completed 90 minutes, with under-18 player of the year Cleland coming closest to a goal in the behind-closed-doors game.

Hibernian face Dutch giants Ajax on Saturday.

New Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath, 28, came close to joining the Easter Road club from St Mirren on the summer transfer deadline day of 2021. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Nectarios Triantis will begin pre-season with Sunderland this week while Hibernian remain in talks about a return to Easter Road for the 22-year-old Australian following last season's loan. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Dan Barnett will start as Hibernian chief executive officer on 1 August.

Barnett leaves Leicester City, where he was commercial director for six years, and replaces Ben Kensell.

He previously worked for Uefa and has also had roles in sailing, skiing and the Olympics.

"We wanted someone with real business acumen that could help propel this fantastic club forward, and Dan's experience and expertise made him the outstanding candidate," said chairman Ian Gordon.

"Dan is an ambitious, forward thinking leader with experience not only in football but sports organisations across the world.

"His commercial nous and track record of implementing successful strategies will greatly benefit a number of areas."

And Barnett added: "This is a club steeped in a proud history, with an incredibly passionate fanbase, and with huge potential as we enter an exciting new era for the football club."