'Proud moment' as Hibs confirm Kyle Magennis transfer from St Mirren

Kyle Magennis is unveiled as a Hibernian player at the HTC, on October 05, 2020, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

The 22-year-old midfielder, who was named Buddies captain in June, has agreed a five-year deal at Easter Road and moves for an undisclosed fee.

The former Scotland Under 21 international has not played since January after suffering a knee injury last season but has been back training with the Paisley club prior to completing his move.

Magennis, who was in the stand for the 3-2 win over Hamilton on Friday, told the club’s official website: “I’m really happy to be a Hibernian player. It’s a proud moment for me and my family.

“Everyone knows what St Mirren means to me as a club – in terms of giving me an opportunity to begin with and my overall development – but this was a challenge that excited me and that I really wanted to take on.

“I know what the gaffer and the coaching staff expect, and they know how to get the best out of me.

“The team has enjoyed a great start to the new season, and I want to play my part to see how far we can take it.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the club.”

The midfielder links up again with Jack Ross who handed him his Buddies debut as an 18-year-old – coincidentally againt Hibs – back in October 2016.

Ross said: "Kyle is someone who impressed me from the first time I worked with him and he's progressed really well since I gave him his debut.

“If there is a profile of the kind of player we are looking to bring to the club to add to the group then Kyle fits it.

“He is young, hungry, can play in a number of positions and has plenty room for improvement. Importantly, he is someone who wants to improve.

“On top of that, he’s someone who has shown leadership qualities from an early age. You can never have too many of those types.”

After rejecting an initial approach for their captain last week, St Mirren confirmed they had “reluctantly” accepted Hibs’ latest offer after Magennis intimated that he wanted to move to Easter Road.

A club statement read: “The club had been working for over a year on a new deal for Kyle and offered him a new four-year deal on improved terms, however, it became increasingly clear that Kyle saw his future away from St Mirren.

“After the initial approaches from Hibernian were rejected, Kyle made it clear to the club his desire to move. With this in mind the club made the difficult decision to accept an improved offer and allow Kyle to make the move.

“The club shares the disappointment that the fans and all connected with St Mirren will be feeling with this news.

“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Kyle for all the contributions he made in his time at St Mirren and wish him the very best for his future.”