Former St Mirren midfielder Stevie Mallen has joined Hibs from English Championship side Barnsley on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Neil Lennon has been a long time admirer of the youngster and he is in line to make his first appearance for the club in Sunday’s match against Blackburn Rovers in Paul Hanlon’s testimonial.

Hibs fans have taken to social media to welcome the Scotland Under 21 international and he becomes the club’s third signing of the close season along with Florian Kamberi and Adam Bogdan.

Mallen told the club website: “I am delighted to have signed for Hibs. It’s an exciting move for me – the club obviously had a good season last year and I want to be a part of that moving forward.

“I didn’t get much game time last year and I want to be back playing. The recruitment team at Hibs and the gaffer made me feel really wanted, which made me feel that this was the ideal place for me.

“It’ll be hard joining a team that’s been doing well but I’m looking forward to getting started and trying to get a place in the side and it’s a challenge that I’ll relish.

“I always enjoyed playing at Easter Road, it’s a great stadium when full and I’m sure it will be even better playing for the home side there.

“I’m just really pleased to have put pen to paper on the deal and I can’t wait to get started.”

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.