Hibs youngster Ben Stirling departs Easter Road for Hamilton Accies

Ben Stirling challenges Olivier Ntcham during a Hibs-Celtic pre-season match earlier this year.

Hibs youngster Ben Stirling has signed for fellow Premiership club Hamilton Accies.

The 22-year-old has been unable to break into the Easter Road first team and has signed a permanent two-year contract with the Lanarkshire outfit.

Stirling is a versatile player who can operate in defence or midfield and has come through the youth ranks at Hibs, but has never played a competitive match for them despite being named in senior squads and was keen to get more game-time under his belt.

He spent last season on loan at Alloa Athletic (seven appearances) and Arbroath (eight appearances), and has also been farmed out to Berwick Rangers and Cowdenbeath during his Hibs career.

Ironically, Stirling could face Hibs on Friday night, with Hamilton due to visit the Capital on league duty.

Stirling follows in the footsteps of current Accies midfielder Scott Martin, who switched Hibs for Hamilton two years ago.

Hibs head coach Jack Ross told the club’s website: “I have a lot of time for Ben and the ‘easy’ thing for me to do would be to keep him here – particularly when he can play in a few positions.

“However, he’s at a point in his career when he needs and deserves to be playing regularly. He’s a great boy to work with and the last thing I’d want to do would be to stall his development.

“It’s a great move for him and I’ve no doubt he’ll do well at Hamilton.”