Magnificent seven graduate from Hibs Academy, including son of Easter Road favourite Garry O'Connor

The players will join the Hibernian Training Centre full-time at East MainsThe players will join the Hibernian Training Centre full-time at East Mains
The players will join the Hibernian Training Centre full-time at East Mains
Garry O’Connor’s son Josh is among seven youth footballers to sign permanent deals with Hibs.

The 16-year-old striker from North Berwick has penned a professional contract along with fellow frontman Connor Young, currently on loan with Civil Service Strollers in the Lowland League.

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Also signing for the club full-time are central midfielders Robbie Hamilton, Murray Aiken and Jacob Blaney, centre-back Jack Brydon who is also gaining experience in the Lowland League alongside Young and goalkeeper Murray Johnston who has been training as part of the first-team set-up at East Mains since July.

Graeme Mathie, the club’s sporting director, welcomed the group to the club via social media, writing: “Great to announce the boys’ first professional contracts - it’s been a different start to their journey at Hibernian FC due to COVID but all have shown a great maturity to adapt to the challenges which can only help them on their journey. Good to have them all on board.”

The Hibees are hoping the players can follow the lead of Ryan Porteous, who made the successful step from the club youth system into the first-team and earned recognition in the Scotland set-up last year.

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O’Connor Jnr who was pictured pitchside with his dad Garry, and wrote: “Happy to sign for the club I support and love,” while Johnston, also a keen cricketer, tweeted he was “delighted to sign my first professional contract.”

The goalkeeper’s first-team training experience may benefit soon too with the Hibees currently experiencing a selection crisis between the sticks.

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