Hibs transfer news: Goalkeeper extends deal as David Gray bolsters Easter Road squad for second season at helm
Smith and Sallinger joined by highly-rated youngster after Bursik and Boruc depart
Hibs goalkeeping prospect Freddie Owens has signed a new one-year deal with the Easter Road club, as David Gray looks to provide solid cover for his two senior keepers. The 19-year-old is expected to back up established No. 1 Jordan Smith and new summer signing Raphael Sallinger.
Owens, who only signed his first pro contract in the summer of 2023, has some senior football experience after loan spells with Civil Service Strollers in the Lowland League. He spent last season with Strollers, making a significant contribution to their top-half finish as he played in 31 of their 34 league games.
He’s also played for Hibs Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League, as part of the team who embarked on such an uplifting run in season 2022-23.
Lowland League experience helped Owens develop
Hibs academy director Gareth Evans welcomed the youngster’s decision to commit to the club for another season, saying: “We’re really pleased to agree a contract extension with Freddie. We monitored his loan with Civil Service Strollers closely, and you could see him developing week on week.
“He performed well and made an important contribution to their season. We look forward to continuing our work with him and seeing him progress with us.”
Smith established himself as first-choice keeper after replacing loan signing Josef Bursik in November, the veteran back-up bringing stability to the last line of defence. The 30-year-old’s status as No. 1 was cemented when he signed a new contract extension in March, the former Nottingham Forest keeper committing to the end of season 2027-28.
Former England Under-21 goalie Bursik has returned to Club Brugge in Belgium after his loan spell came to an end. And third-choice keeper Max Boruc was one of several out-of-contract players released at the end of the season.
Sallinger became Hibernian’s second summer signing, following the pre-contract arrival of former Aberdeen attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath, with the Austrian penning a three-year contract. The 29-year-old, once on the books of German club Kaiserslautern but most recently with TSV Hartberg in his homeland, is eager to provide competition for Smith.
He’ll now be joined in the goalie group by Owen, who the second young talent to commit himself to Hibs this week, with Logan Jiminez also signing his first pro contract with the club. The 17-year-old forward, impressive as Darren McGregor’s Under-18s won the CAS Elite League, has committed himself to the club until the summer of 2026.
Evans said: "Logan has developed really well since joining the club and thoroughly deserves his first professional contract. He’s shown great commitment, versatility, and worked incredibly hard to fight his way into our U18s side.
“This is a big milestone for him, but he knows the hard work really starts now. We’re excited to see how he continues to grow within our pathway.”
Hibs remain in negotiations with out-of-contract first-teamers Rocky Bushiri and Junior Hoilett, while talks with Sunderland over a move for Nectar Triantis – a stand-out in his second Easter Road loan spell last season – remain very much alive. The bulk of the Hibs squad, barring internationals given extra time off, report for pre-season training at the end of next week.