The news that all Hibs’ fans have been waiting on has finally arrived, Jamie Maclaren has re-joined the club from SV Darmstadt 98 on a season-long loan deal.

Head Coach Neil Lennon suggested that a deal was close after last night’s draw in Greece so it’s been a nervous wait for the supporters who took him to their hearts last season following his partnership with Florian Kamberi.

The Australian international initially joined Hibs on loan in January for the second half of the 2017/18 season from the German club, playing 15 times and scoring eight goals – including a hat-trick against Rangers on the last day of the campaign.

After that match he made it plain that he did not want to return to Germany and Easter Road would be his preferred option however most fans suspected that his future lay elsewhere.

Now, the striker who was part of the Australia squad for the World Cup in Russia is delighted to be coming back to Leith after enjoying his time at the Club in the first half of 2018.

He told the club website: “A few factors drove me to come back. With the success that we had last season it just breeds confidence throughout the squad and, for me, scoring goals was important.

“After having the World Cup experience I want to kick on. This is the best club for me to be at to kick on.

“I think having a manager like Neil Lennon who backs me and every player in the squad, that’s who you want to play for. And the fans have also been on at me on social media since the break, so it’s nice to be wanted and valued.

“I’m just glad I’m here.”

MacLaren is eligible for Hibs’ Ladbrokes Premiership match against Motherwell on Sunday and the UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round tie against Molde FK.

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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.