Hibs’ Development squad striker Lewis Allan has extended his contract with the club until the summer of 2018.
The 18-year-old centre-forward made his first team debut at Falkirk in December and has scored nine goals so far this season in the SPFL Development League.
Allan says he is thrilled to have agreed the extension and eager to progress – during his first full season as a full-time player.
Speaking to hibernianfc.co.uk, Allan said: “This is absolutely brilliant and I’m excited about the future – I’m delighted about agreeing the extension and it came as a bit of a surprise.
“I’ve been involved with Hibernian’s Academy since I was eight or nine and I’ve played for every age-group team.
“During all that time, all I ever wanted to do was get the opportunity to play for the first team and luckily I’ve now done that.
“Hopefully I will earn a lot more opportunities to play for the first team and repay the faith the manager has already shown in me.
“I appreciate this is just the first step in a long journey towards trying to establish myself as a first team player at the club and I want to give it everything I can in order to make that happen.
“Since the start of the season, I believe I’ve learned a huge amount and that my overall understanding of the game has improved massively.
“My parents were great taking me to and from training two times a week last season, but since I’ve gone full-time I feel I’ve started to mature as a player.
“I’m keen to learn as much as I can and Hibs is a great environment in order to be able to do that with Joe (McBride) and the gaffer (Alan Stubbs).”
Development Coach Joe McBride said: “I’m delighted for Lewis and I hope he continues to work hard during his development because he has already seen that he will be rewarded.
“The Academy’s main objective is to develop players, who will be ready to contribute at first team level and Lewis has already certainly make progress on that front.”
Head Coach Alan Stubbs said: “I’m delighted that Lewis has committed his future to the club by signing his extension.
“The fact that we are producing players through our excellent Academy into the first team is something that we’re incredibly proud of and long may that continue.
“Both Joe (McBride) and Eddie (May) deserve enormous credit and the fact Lewis has already made his first team debut underlines my philosophy that if players merit selection then, irrespective of their age, they will get the opportunity.”
Allan scored his opening goal at senior level, albeit in a friendly, against our potential William Hill Scottish Cup quarter final opponents Berwick Rangers at Shielfield Park in pre-season.
Allan is back in competitive action today in an SPFL Development League match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Ainslie Park – home of Hibs’ potential quarter final opponents, Spartans – kick off 2pm (admission is via donation to the Transition Academy).
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.
