Hibs boss John Hughes has swooped to strengthen his squad, just hours after the January transfer window opened at midnight last night.
Former Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith has signed on at Easter Road, after agreeing a pay off with his club Brighton.
26-year-old Smith signed for the League One side in the summer from Motherwell on a free transfer, but has failed to settle in England.
Brighton agreed to let the former Rangers youngster leave, and he has now signed an 18 month contract with the club.
Smith has been linked with a move to the Hibees for a couple of years now, and this time it has become reality for the Edinburgh born keeper.
Hibs current keepers Graham Stack & Yves Ma-Kalambay are both struggling with injury, paving the way for Smith to make a sensational debut in the Edinburgh derby against Hearts this coming Sunday.
It also raises question marks over the future of Ma-Kalambay, who is out of contract in the summer, following a series of high profile blunders since signing for the Hibees in 2006, from English giants Chelsea.
Smith was excited to be joining Hibs, he said:
"I am delighted to be joining Hibernian," Smith told the club's official website.
"Everything about the club is exciting at the moment, from the gaffer, the training facilities to the results and team on the park. I want to be part of it, and will be working as hard as I can to get into the team on a regular basis."
Hibs boss John Hughes commented:
"Graeme is an experienced SPL keeper and provides us with another excellent option in goal.
"I want competition for all positions at this club and Graeme has the right character and skills to play a key part in helping us build success for Hibernian."
In other news:
*Hibs are thought to still be in talks with Scotland internationals, Sunderland defender Russell Anderson, and Falkirk captain Darren Barr.
Both Anderson and Barr are thought to have turned down Hibs first offers, but are still willing to negotiate further.
Anderson is thought to be on the verge of agreeing his release from the Black Cats, following a nightmare spell, due to injury, since signing from Aberdeen in a £1m deal in 2006.
Barr is out of contract at the end of the season, and therefore can sign a pre-contract agreement with any interested parties straight away, although a small fee would secure his services.
* There is also a rumour doing the rounds that Hibs are still interested in Barr's Falkirk team-mate Scott Arfield.
The Hibees had a couple of bids turned down in the summer for the Scotland U21 midfielder, thought to be in the region of £500,000.
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