Hibs have handed five promising young players their first professional contracts.
Owen Hastie, Jacob MacIntyre, Rudi Molotnikov, Alfie Smith and Harry Wright have all agreed deals for the first time in their careers in what is a huge day for any young footballer. All five have been handed two-year contracts as they continue their development at Easter Road with Gareth Evans' Under-18s squad.
Lee Johnson has arrived this summer as Shaun Maloney's successor and has been very busy in the transfer market with a number of ins and outs in Leith. Notable incomings include David Marshall, Aiden McGeady and Jair Tavares with Josh Doig netting the club £3million after his departure for Serie A with Italian outfit Hellas Verona. The young full-back will be an inspiration to the crop of talented teens who have all put pen to paper at Easter Road as what can happen with hard work, determination and the success of breaking into the first-team set-up.
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READ MORE: Hibs receive 'one of highest sales figures ever' for Josh Doig as Hellas Verona deal details emerge
Hibernian FC Academy Director Steve Kean told the official club website: “This is a proud day for all five of the youngsters.
Signing professional deals is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“The hard work for them really starts now.
"They have to keep pushing themselves, focus on small details, and setting themselves high-standards to take their game to the next level.”
Johnson and Co return to action this weekend in the Premier Sports Cup against Bonnyrigg Rose after suffering a disappointing defeat at Scottish League One outfit Falkirk last time out.
It came on the back of a five-star showing against Clyde in the section opener - with the Hibees desperate for three points.
They know victories over the SPFL new boys and Greenock Morton are required to aid hopes of a last 16 spot.
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