Hibs transfer news - midfielder heads for Easter Road exit as Deadline Day business rumbles on
Defenders still on radar ahead of 11 pm shut-off in January window
Hibs have released Dylan Levitt from the remaining six months of his contract, allowing the Welsh midfielder to make a permanent move to Leyton Orient. The 25-year-old’s departure on a busy Deadline Day reflects his lack of game time this season, as David Gray has turned to other options in the centre of the park.
Gray, commenting on the departure of a player who has been at Hibs since the summer of 2023, scoring five goals in 82 appearances across all competitions, said: “I would like to thank Dylan for all his efforts and his contribution during his time at the club. Unfortunately, Dylan hasn't played as much as he would've wanted to this season - so he was keen to explore opportunities elsewhere.
“With six months left on his contract, we felt this agreement is best for all parties involved and I would like to wish him all the very best for the future."
Levitt has become an increasingly peripheral figure since the summer arrivals of Josh Mulligan, Miguel Chaiwa, Dan Barlaser and Jamie McGrath, while the return to full fitness of Joe Newell has further intensified competition for places in central midfield. Kai Andrews coming in on loan from Coventry last week created a further logjam in the middle of the park.
Hibs have been busy so far on Deadline Day, bringing in German wingback Felix Passlack and – within the past half hour – Croatian-Australian forward Ante Suto. They are still working on bringing in a central defender to cover for the loan recall of Charlton centre-half Zach Mitchell, while sporting director Malky Mackay and head of recruitment Garvan Stewart will be working right up to the 11 pm deadline in search of other potential deals that help Gray improve his squad.
The Easter Road club put fresh emphasis on investing in the team following the sale, in a deal worth up to £7 million including add-ons, of Kieron Bowie to Hellas Verona late last week. They’ve brought in three strikers over the recent days, with Suto joining on-loan Tottenham Hotspur forward Dane Scarlett and Sligo Rovers teenager Owen Elding.
Mackay, welcoming the arrival of Suto this evening, admitted that the departure of Bowie – a £600,000 signing from Fulham just 18 months ago – had stepped up activity on the transfer front, saying: “With Kieron Bowie’s departure, it was important that we added extra strength and depth to our forward areas.”