Hibs transfer news done deal - defender hailed as 'leader' becomes first signing of summer window
Former St Johnstone centre-half pens two-year deal as key position strengthened
Hibs have completed their first piece of summer transfer business with the addition of central defender Jason Kerr. And Easter Road boss David Gray has hailed the former Cup Double-winning St Johnstone star, a free agent signing who has returned to Scotland after five seasons with Wigan Athletic, as “a real leader” who will strengthen his team’s back three.
Kerr has been a long-time target for the Edinburgh club, who were first linked with the defender – now 29 – five years ago, when he left Perth as a Scottish Cup and League Cup winner to join Wigan. A League One winner in his first season with the Latics, he went onto make 150 appearances for the club over five seasons, including 37 in the campaign just ended.
Gray, welcoming Kerr on a two-year deal, said: “We’re delighted to have brought someone of Jason's quality to the football club. He’s performed at a high level throughout his career and has a real desire to compete at the top level back in Scotland.
“His experience, quality on the ball, and leadership will strengthen us defensively, and he has the capacity to play in any role across our back three. He’s a real leader both on and off the pitch, and a player of his experience will add a lot to the team. I'm really looking forward to working with him.”
Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay said he was pleased to get business done within just over 24 hours of the summer market opening, saying: “We are excited to bring a player of Jason's calibre to Hibernian FC, especially at this early stage of the transfer window. We’ve been keen to add another defender to the first team squad, and Jason is a player we have watched closely, and one we know has a strong list of attributes.
“He has everything you would want in a centre-back, and his experience and character will be hugely beneficial for our young players. We welcome Jason and his family to Easter Road, and look forward to seeing him hit the ground running.”
Hibs, who have Warren O’Hora, Jack Iredale and Scotland World Cup warrior Grant Hanley available to man the back three as things stand, had been competing with a number of rival clubs in Scotland and England for Kerr’s services. With Rocky Bushiri out for an indeterminate period of time through an injury sustained at the end of last season, a centre-half was a priority for Gray.
Hibs are also in pursuit of a centre forward and a central midfielder as they look to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership, while strengthening the squad ahead of a return to the UEFA Conference League next month. After qualifying for Europe in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 50 years, Hibs go into the second qualifying round of UEFA’s third-tier club competition, with the draw scheduled for lunchtime tomorrow.
They’ll play the first leg of that tie on July 23, with the return match a week later, before kicking off their SPFL campaign on the weekend of August 1. The league fixtures are due to be released on Thursday.