Hibs have completed their second signing on 24 hours this evening, with the capture of Yeovil defender Tom James.
The 23-year-old has signed a 3-year-deal at Easter Road and becomes the Hibees fifth summer signing, for what is thought to be a nominal fee.
Welshman James follows Scott Allan, Adam Jackson, Joe Newell and £350,000 striker Christian Doidge to Edinburgh this summer.
Right back is his strongest position, but he can play anywhere across the backline.
Speaking to the official website, Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom said:
“He’s a highly-rated young player who can operate in a number of positions, which is obviously advantageous when we want to run with a smaller group.
“I know Tom well and we have seen him play many times.
“I’m delighted he has bought into what we want to achieve here because he had a lot of other offers.
“Tom has good quality, is composed on the ball and has a great attitude to improve.
“We look forward to working with him.”
New recruit James said:
“The gaffer’s presentation was very detailed which, straight away, showed how keen he was on me.
“As a footballer that’s what you want. You want the manager to be on your side from the start and I feel like he definitely is.
“I want to repay him for that.
“I think he wants me to be a full-back who gets forward, creates chances for others and a few for myself.
“First and foremost, my job is to defend but I do like to get up and down the flank for the full game, though I did play all the way across the back four last season and occasionally in the centre of midfield.
“It was definitely the gaffer who swung it for me. He showed how much he wanted me with the detail he went into and the way he spoke about how he wants to improve me and the club in general. That was the biggest pull.”
James started his career with Cardiff City, but left after making only one appearance. He then went on to make 96 appearances for Yeovil and scored 8 goals.
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS:
Another good looking signing for the Hibees.
The legend that is David Gray has not really had much competition over the last year or so, and has picked up a number of injuries, that has seen the likes of Efe Ambrose and Jonathan Spector filling in at right full back.
James was close to joining West Brom in January in a £400,000 deal, but for whatever reason, the transfer fell through, so that indicates Heckingbottom has pulled off a bit of a coup.
The fact James can anywhere across the back four is another big plus, and on paper, the men from Easter Road have a really exciting looking squad as they head in to the new season.
It's thought another two or three signings will be made before the window shuts, if the first five are anything to go by, it's an exciting prospect for the Hibs support.
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