After a quiet start to the mid-season window, Hibernian finished the window with six signings in the closing few days, although, there was some major departures from Easter Road.
Hibs’ first signing arrived on January 29th, when they secured the signature of highly rated youngster Owen Elding from Sligo Rovers. Elding went onto have a promising debut on Sunday against Rangers.
The Irishman’s signature may be interpreted as a like-for-like replacement for Kieron Bowie. The Scotland international departed for Hellas Verona in Serie A, joining a long list of Scots in Italy. The rumoured fee for Bowie is around €6 million, with add-ons up to €7 million. Although he will undoubtedly be a big loss for David Gray’s men, a tenfold profit after 18 months in Leith can only be seen as outstanding business from Hibs.
Tottenham youngster Dane Scarlett was also added to the strike-force on a loan deal until the end of the season.
In the midfield, Hibs secured Coventry midfielder Kai Andrews on loan to support an injury ridden midfield.
Despite not making any signings for the opening four weeks, Hibs seemed to move quickly once stories did break around potential signings. Except for Felix Passlack. The German was eventually signed on deadline day after a lengthy saga where VfL Bochum were reluctant to let the ex-Dortmund right-back leave without finding a suitable replacement.
It seems Hibs transfer executives were working overtime on deadline day, Croatian forward Ante Suto arrived on a two-and-a-half year deal with Copenhagen defender Munashe Garananga signing a loan deal until the end of the season.
Hibs were not devoid of departures throughout the window. Zach Mitchell had his loan cut short with Nathan Jones deeming the defender wasn’t receiving enough game time, which may have forced Hibs’ hand to recruit Garananga. Midfielders Dylan Levitt and Junior Hoilett also departed in pursuit of more game time. Levitt has moved to League 1 side Leyton Orient whilst Junior Hoilett has signed for Swindon amid his Canada side hosting the World Cup this summer.
Perhaps Hibs’ the biggest story of deadline day was record signing Thibault Klidje joining Danish side Randers on loan for the remainder of the season. Klidje has failed to hit the ground running since arriving in Edinburgh, thus David Gray has opted to loan out the £1 million man with Martin Boyle, Elie Youan, Dane Scarlett, Owen Elding and Ante Suto all now competing for two spots in the forward line.
All-in-all, Hibs slow start to the window did raise a few eyebrows, but the sprint over the finish line does offer some redemption.
On paper, the signings do seem to be strong ones, adding two players with Champions League experience to the ranks. Lesser used players were moved on, freeing up money in a bloated squad, especially amongst the midfielders.
Of course, loaning out your record signing after a poor opening six months does raise eyebrows, but David Gray and Malky MacKay have maintained that he will return to the club next season, where Hibs fans will be hoping that game time in Denmark will translate to goals upon his return.
As the end of the season approaches, Hibs will hope these midseason reinforcements will be able to improve Hibs as they aim to build on an inconsistent start to the season, even with European football still an achievable target in Leith.
Ins: Owen Elding, Kai Andrews (loan), Dane Scarlett (loan), Felix Passlack, Ante Suto, Munashe Garananga (loan)
Outs: Zach Mitchell (re-called), Kieron Bowie, Dylan Levitt, Junior Hoilett, Thibault Klidje (loan)
