Hibs enter 'significant' agreement with SPFL club as loan decision made on player amid 'outstanding' form

Hibs have extended Jacob MacIntyre’s loan deal at Arbroath until the end of the season, as the Easter Road side enter a co-operation agreement with the Championship side.

MacIntyre has been a key player for the Gayfield side who have had an impressive season in the second tier, sitting third and in a promotion play-off spot. It’s been another beneficial loan for the 19-year-old, who enjoyed a fruitful stint at League One level with Kelty Hearts last campaign.

As part of the Scottish FA's new co-operation system, a loan arrangement surrounding Scotland-eligible players between the ages of 16-21 can move between their parent club and a lower-league partner club to aid senior minutes. Attack-minded midfielder MacIntyre debuted for Hibs in 2025 against Livingston and head coach David Gray is impressed with how the teenager is developing, as a route for more Hibs youngsters to head to Arbroath opens up.

David Gray on Hibs loan transfer decision

Gray said: "Jacob is a talented young player, with real potential, and he is clearly benefiting from playing regular minutes of senior football at a very competitive level. He has had an excellent first half of the season at Arbroath, and we are looking forward to closely following his progress in 2026."

Arbroath co-Manager David Gold outlined the impact of his Hibs loanee, and why the agreement is so beneficial: Co-Manager David Gold said: "It's exciting that we can announce this further development of an already positive relationship between Arbroath and Hibernian. We are delighted to get the Co-Operation Agreement over the line. As a part time team, over the past two seasons, we've had some great loan signings who have played a pivotal part in our success.

“Jacob this year has been outstanding and has really bought into Arbroath and what we are all about as a team, and we are thrilled to have him remain with us until the end of the season. It's exciting for us that we are able to continue to grow our relationship between Hibernian and Arbroath, working together to nurture the next generation of talent as well as continuing our success as a club."

Arbroath on agreement with Hibs

CEO Paul Reid said: "This is a highly significant and exciting co-operation agreement for Arbroath FC to enter. Since the inception of co-op agreements between clubs in Scotland, we have remained patient in order to align with the right club who we feel can fully match our progressiveness, and performance ethos and with Hibernian Football Club, we have found the ideal partnership.

“As the only part time team in the Championship, it has been key to find a club who can offer players who are fully ready and equipped to play in such a demanding league, and Hibs can definitely assist us in delivering our key objectives with Jacob Macintyre being a perfect example, but I stress, this is very much a two way street. Our management team have shown time and time again their abilities to work and develop loan signings, who ultimately return to their parent clubs far more experienced and better players having worked with our coaches and management.

“I’d like to thank Hibernian and also our managers for all their hard work in cementing this exciting relationship and we look forward to building a mutually strong relationship going forward that will benefits us both."