Hibs have confirmed the signing of Kyle McClelland after the defender left Rangers at the end of the season when his contract expired.
The 20-year-old has signed a three-year deal at Easter Road as he looks to kick on and build on his experience at Ibrox, where he captained the Rangers B team last season.
The Northern Ireland youth international has also spent time on loan at Falkirk and Hibs Academy Director Steve Kean is delighted to have landed the ‘cultured centre-back’ from Rangers.
“We’re delighted we’ve managed to bring a player of Kyle’s quality to the club and into the Development Team,” Kean said.
“Supporters will see a cultured centre-back that’s excellent at breaking lines and making passes. He’s a real modern-day centre-half that is very comfortable stepping out with the ball and building attacks from the back.
“Defensively he’s a very good one-on-one defender, which shows he has real belief in his own ability.
“Our Development Squad games programme will really push him on as he experiences different types of opposition, different challenges and different experiences. We aim to develop his all-round game so he can eventually become a First Team player.”
McClelland was in demand after Rangers exit – with Gers set to benefit in the future
With McClelland having left Rangers this summer, the Light Blues would have been entitled to training compensation for him but are thought to have waived that for a percentage of any future sale.
The defender will be hoping he can progress from Hibs’ development squad quickly and impress new boss Lee Johnson at Easter Road and earn a first-team spot.
Having watched Leon King push into the side at Rangers, McClelland will be eager to show he’s just as good as his now former teammate.
In other news, Rangers star heads to London for talks ahead of £20million move