With the transfer window closing on both sides of the border, the Edinburgh Reporter looks at the comings and goings at Easter Road where an incredible 26 players have either arrived or left the club.
Of last year’s squad, fans’ favourite Leigh Griffiths returned to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers where he has since signed a contract extension after making an impressive start to the season, whilst striking partner has joined Chesterfield.
David Wotherspoon moved to home town team St Johnstone after his contract expired, whilst Gambian full back Pa Kujabi and Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi are currently looking for new clubs.
Gary Deegan returned down south and signed for Northampton Town and Martin ‘Jimmy’ Scott who had been on loan to Ross County has joined Livingston. On loan winger Matt Done returned to England and joined Rochdale.
Hopes that Jorge Claros would return for another loan spell have gone and he will return to his parent club CD Motagua,
Liam Craig joined Hibs from St Johnstone after agreeing a pre-contract deal last January, and he has been joined by former Saints’ team-mate Rowan Vine.
Owain Tudor Jones joined from Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Michael Nelson arrived from Bradford City.
Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern returned to Easter Road after being freed by Manchester City, and Kevin Thomson who joined the club and played without wages last term after leaving Middlesbrough by mutual consent, signed a permanent deal.
Former Hearts’ full-back Fraser Mullen signed a one year deal after being freed at Tynecastle and James Collins arrived from Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee.
Just before the window closed, Paul Heffernan signed from Kilmarnock and French winger Abdellah Zoubir agreed a loan deal until the end of the season from FC Istres.
Players in (alphabetical order)
James Collins (transfer from Swindon Town FC for undisclosed fee)
Liam Craig (transfer from St Johnstone FC)
Paul Heffernan (transfer from Kilmarnock FC)
Owain Tudur Jones (transfer from Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC)
Ryan McGivern (signed on permanent basis)
Fraser Mullen (transfer from Heart of Midlothian FC)
Sean Murdoch (signed a new contract)
Michael Nelson (transfer from Bradford City FC for undisclosed fee)
Kevin Thomson (signed a new contract)
Rowan Vine (transfer from St Johnstone FC)
Abdellah Zoubir (loan until the end of the season from FC Istres)
Players out (alphabetical order)
Calum Antell – contract expired
Jorge Claros – loan spell ended and returned to CD Motagua
Gary Deegan – contract expired
Bradley Donaldson – loan to Arbroath until January
Matt Done – loan spell ended and returned to Barnsley FC
Eoin Doyle – contract expired
Paul Grant – loan to Berwick Rangers until January
Leigh Griffiths – loan spell ended and returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Lewis Horner – contract ended by mutual consent
Pa Saikou Kujabi – contract expired
Shefki Kuqi – contract expired
Harry Monaghan – contract expired
Martin Scott – contract ended by mutual consent
Scott Smith – contract expired
David Wotherspoon – contract expired
The club have since issued a statement on the official website thanking all the players leaving Easter Road for the contribution they’ve made and wishing them every success in the future.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
