Hibs’ youngsters Ryan Porteous and Fraser Murray have both signed contract extensions until 2023 with the club.
The highly rated teenagers were integral components of the Hibernian Development Squad’s double winning side of 2017/18.
19-year-old Porteous has made 23 appearances in the first-team he has been a part of a defence that has kept eight clean sheets.
Murray who is also aged 19, has made nine appearances for the club and continues to develop as part of the Development Squad.
The attacking midfielder has featured in Hibernian matchday squads this season and will be aiming to add to his two appearances in the top-flight for the club and his tally of three goals for the club.
Porteous told Hibernian Media: “As a young player in an Academy your target is to get into the first-team. I am proud to have done that and I am pleased to have signed a long-term deal with the club. It is the best place for me to be at this moment in time.
“I know that the hard work isn’t over and it won’t ever be. I’ll keep working hard in training to improve and I will learn from those around me at the club.
“I’m really looking forward to the next stage in my career and continuing my development here.”
Murray added: “Signing the deal with the club until 2023 is an amazing thing for me and Ryan. I’m really happy that everything has been signed and confirmed.
“All the coaches at the club have been good with me and have constantly given me tips in terms of how to improve as a player. I’m learning all the time in training and playing in the Development Squad.
“For me, the next step is pushing on and being part of the first team squad on a regular basis and I’m determined to add to my nine appearances for the club before the end of the current campaign.”
Head Coach Neil Lennon was also happy to extend the deals of both young players until 2023.
He feels that the pair have contributed a lot to the first team in his time at the club and is looking forward to seeing how they progress in the coming years.
Neil said: “When you have two young players in your team you want them to be here as long as they can be, especially if they are fantastically talented like Ryan and Fraser are.
“Ryan is big, strong and extremely comfortable on the ball. He has shown a maturity beyond his years in my time at the club, but there is still a raw edge to him that will erode over time. Fraser has come on brilliantly too. He is a great talent and is impressing in training and in the Reserve League.
“Both of the players have shown they can handle the first team environment when I have put them into the team. I have been impressed with the maturity of them both in terms of their performances and attitudes in training and I am delighted they see their future with the club.”
The pair are being mentored by two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray after signing up to his agency, 77 Sports Management, earlier this year.
He spoke highly of the pair and believes that both will go on to carve out “great careers” in football.
Andy said: “Ryan and Fraser have come up through the academy at Hibs and I know everyone at the club thinks very highly of them.
“It’s great to be involved in helping them both realise their potential, I’m convinced both will go on to have great careers.”
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.
