Hibs agree pro contracts with six talents as former star reacts after son pens Easter Road deal
Hibs players of the future have signed deals at Easter Road.
Six Hibs stars of the future have penned their first professional deals at Easter Road, the Premiership club have confirmed.
Goalkeepers Sam Vautherin and Ellis McGurk, defenders Grant Halliday and Oliver Waldman, and midfielders Jackson Thomson and Anizoba Aghanya have all committed their futures to developing in Leith. They will hope to follow recent examples like Ryan Porteous and Josh Campbell in breaking through to becoming regulars at senior level.
Kevin Thomson is another who knows what it takes after coming through at Hibs and establishing a strong career with the club over three stints alongside Rangers, Middlesbrough and Dundee spells. He has been thrilled after son, Jackson, followed in his footsteps by beginning his professional journey with the side managed by David Gray at first team level.
What talents have signed deals with Hibs?
Thomson said: “Proud of you Jacko!! Soccer Stars to Edinburgh South, then 6 years at the Hibees, now paid to do your dream, keep grafting, gets harder and harder!! Enjoy the journey.”
The six players will link up with the U17s and U19s teams in the seasons ahead at those respective levels under coaching guidance of coaches Gareth Evans, Darren McGregor, Guillaume Beuzelin and James McDonaugh. Hibs have provided a description of the young players now professionally on their books, stating: “Sam Vautherin has signed his first pro deal with the Club off the back of his Goalkeeper of the Tournament award at the Le Tournoi de Gonfreville l’Orcher in France. The French-Scottish shot-stopper joined Hibs in September 2021 from Currie FC and has since been a part of our 2025/26 U19 UEFA Youth League squads that faced Dynamo Kyiv both in Poland and at Easter Road.
“Goalkeeper Ellis McGurk signed for Hibernian in June 2022 following his time with Edinburgh South CFC. Ellis impressed in James McDonaugh’s U17s squad throughout last season and has been rewarded with a professional contract for his efforts. Grant Halliday has spent almost three years at the Club since joining in August 2023 following spells with both Spartans and Murieston United. The defender had a strong 2025/26 campaign in our U17 squad and appeared twice at U18 level last season in wins over Inverurie Loco Works and Partick Thistle in the Scottish Youth Cup.
Who are the young players to sign deals with Hibs?
“Defender Oliver Waldman joined Hibs from Musselburgh Windsor in July 2024. Whilst often captaining our U17 squad, Oli has also regularly been in and around our U19 squad; featuring in pre-season and twice stepping up to perform - in a 3-0 league victory over Kilmarnock and 4-0 League Cup win over Motherwell - last season. Jackson Thomson has spent six years at the Club following his arrival as a youngster from Edinburgh South CFC in February 2020. The midfielder impressed on his competitive U19 debut against Dundee United in the CAS Elite U19 League Cup semi-final in April 2026 and has featured regularly throughout pre-season.
“He grabbed the U17 Goal of the Season award last season for a sublime finish versus Dundee United. Midfielder Anizoba Aghanya joined Hibernian in July 2024 from Portobello CFC. ‘Zoba’ made three competitive appearances across our U18/U19 squads last season, including a strong showing off the bench in our U19s’ dramatic 4-3 derby win over Hearts in May 2026.”