Hibs’ fans’ favourite Marvin Bartley signs a pre-contract with Livingston

Hibs’ fans’ favourite Marvin Bartley has signed a pre-contract agreement with Livingston and will completes his move to the Tony Macaroni Arena on a three-year deal at the end of the season.

The midfielder has made 123 appearances for the club in all
competitions in the last four years after joining from Orient.

He was an unused substitute when Hibs won the Scottish Cup
in May 2016 and played a major role in the Scottish Championship title win the
following year.

Bartley left a poignant message on Instagram, thanking his
team-mates, staff and supporters.

The 32-year-old said in the video: “You’ve all been a
massive support to me on and off the pitch. You’ve stuck up for me when I’ve
needed you to stick up for me, you’ve cheered me when I’ve needed to be cheered
and I owe you people an awful lot.

“It’s been a great four years, I’ve met some friends for
life, and I’ve met some fans that I can now call friends.

“It’s going to be an emotional time on Sunday when I finally
bow out as a Hibs player [against Aberdeen] but I’d like to think I’ve helped
the club come on a bit. It’s been an incredible journey.

“I want to thank all my team-mates – as everyone knows, I’ve
been through a hard time off the pitch at times and they’ve been there for me,
they’ve been friends and more importantly they’ve been family to me so, lads,
I’d like to thank all of you for that, because I owe you an awful lot.

“You’ve been great team-mates, you’ve been great friends and
I hope you know that if you ever need to call on me for anything I’ll be on the
other end of the phone.”

“I want to thank all the staff here – obviously Graeme
Mathie for bringing me here, because without him I would have never signed for
the club, so I thank him.

“The current gaffer [Paul Heckingbottom] has been brilliant
with me. Even in the short space of time he’s been here I’ve learned a lot that
I’ll take on when I’m a coach or a manager one day, so thanks to him and
Robbie.

“Calvin and his team have been brillliant, so thanks to them
for the video stuff they’ve done for me – breaking down games, helping me
improve as a player.

George [Craig, Head of Football Operations], Finlay [Stark,
Academy Administration and Operations Manager], Leeann [Dempster, chief
executive] – they’ve all been excellent in different ways for me.

It’s going to be an emotional day on Sunday but I’ve loved
my time at Hibs.

“It’s time for me to move on but I’ll always be a Hibs
supporter. I’ll bleed green from now on because this has been such a great time
in my life and a special place in my heart always.”

A tribute on the club website said: “After arriving on a
free transfer from Leyton Orient, Marvin became an instant favourite with
supporters – whether it was for his all-action performances on the park or the
strength of his personality off it.

Hugely respected by team-mates and staff alike, he became a
key cog in the squad that would go on to win the Scottish Cup and secure a
return to the Premiership.

His experience was then crucial in re-establishing the
Hibees as a top-flight force.

It goes without saying that Marvin departs with our best
wishes and there will always be a place for him at Easter Road.