Hibs will be looking to strengthen their squad in several areas this summer, with new director of football Brian McDermott working with manager Lee Johnson on priority positions.
Centre-back will be one of them. Will Fish and CJ Egan-Riley will return to Manchester United and Burnley respectively at the end of their loan spells and Mikey Devlin, who joined on a short-term deal in January to provide cover, is expected to depart after getting only a few minutes in the final game.
Ryan Porteous, of course, left for Watford in January. That leaves club stalwart Paul Hanlon and Rocky Bushiri, who has only recently returned from injury, as the only two senior centre-back in the squad.
With Kevin Nisbet expected to attract interest from down south, Mykola Kukharevych returning to Troyes and Matthew Hoppe to Middlesbrough at the end of their loan spells, Hibs will also be looking for a new striker. Central midfield is another area Johnson will be looking to strengthen in order to find a better cutting edge in the final third.
It’s not easy to compete in the transfer market with EFL Championship and even League One clubs down south who can offer far more in wages, so Hibs have to be clever. McDermott will certainly bring in some fresh ideas and Johnson will tap into his connections with the City Football Group.
Here are 10 players who are out of contract this summer that could be worth considering. What do you think?
. Lucas Joao (striker)
The 29-year-old Angolan striker is out of contract at Reading, who were relegated from the Championship. Hibs director of football Brian McDermott's Reading connections means the club will be well aware of him. Joao has attributes that would suit the Scottish game. He has physicality to compete with defenders, but he can also run in behind and score goals. He scored just seven times in the season just finished, but in the two seasons prior to that netted 29 times in 63 games. Photo: Zac Goodwin
5. Stephane Omeonga (central midfielder)
The former Belgian under-21 international is leaving Livingston after an outstanding season. He has already had two spells on loan at Hibs when he was contracted to Genoa, but the 27-year-old has improved markedly since then. It isn't just his workrate in the middle of the park, he now has the experience, know-how and all-round game to control games in the middle of the park in the Scottish Premiership. Recently married and with a baby on the way, Omeonga will be looking for a wage rise and security. Hibs could offer both. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
6. Scott Arfield (midfielder)
He'll be 35 in November, but the outgoing Rangers man still has a lot to offer in the top flight of Scottish football. Drive, determination, exuberance, experience and goals are just some of the things he could bring to the Hibs midfield after 231 appearances and 43 goals for Rangers. A larger-than-life personality, his leadership and positivity would make a huge impact on the Hibs dressing room. He won't be short of offers though. Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
7. Jack Fitzwater (centre-back)
The 25-year-old Englishman has been a solid, reliable and regular defender for Livingston since joining from West Brom three years ago. Fitzwater says he is “at a stage in my career where I just want to see what I can do next” and will have no shortage of suitors after proving himself in the Scottish Premiership. Hibs will be looking to strengthen in that area. Hibs would know exactly what they were getting by signing Fitzwater, who is a a good age and would have re-sale value. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
8. James McArthur (central midfielder)
After nine seasons in the Premier League, the former Scotland international undoubtedly has the quality and extensive experience to make an impact at Easter Road. He's 35 now, so that may limit the amount of interest elsewhere and make Hibs a realistic proposition if he fancies returning to Scotland. Of course, the former Hamilton player would be taking a huge wage cut to return north of the border but money might not be a priority at this stage of his career. McArthur made 253 appearances in all competitions for Palace shirt, scoring 19 times, and wearing the captain's armband many times. One drawback is that he has had injury problems in the season that's just finished. Photo: Matt McNulty