Heckingbottom welcomes versatile defender Tom James

Hibs have signed versatile defender Tom James from Yeovil Town on a three-year deal.

The 23-year-old former Welsh youth international, worked his
way through the ranks at local club Cardiff City before making the switch to
Huish Park.

He mainly featured as a right-back for The Glovers but is
comfortable anywhere across the backline and offers added competition within
the squad.

Head Coach Paul Heckingbottom told Hibs’ Media: “We’re
really pleased to have Tom on board.

“He’s a highly-rated young player who can operate in a
number of positions, which is obviously advantageous when we want to run with a
smaller group.

“I know Tom well and we have seen him play many times.

“I’m delighted he has bought into what we want to achieve
here because he had a lot of other offers.

“Tom has good quality, is composed on the ball and has a
great attitude to improve.

“We look forward to working with him.”

James, who will wear the number 17 shirt, said: “The
gaffer’s presentation was very detailed which, straight away, showed how keen
he was on me.

“As a footballer that’s what you want. You want the manager
to be on your side from the start and I feel like he definitely is.

“I want to repay him for that.

“I think he wants me to be a full-back who gets forward,
creates chances for others and a few for myself.

“First and foremost, my job is to defend but I do like to
get up and down the flank for the full game, though I did play all the way
across the back four last season and occasionally in the centre of midfield.

“It was definitely the gaffer who swung it for me. He showed
how much he wanted me with the detail he went into and the way he spoke about
how he wants to improve me and the club in general. That was the biggest pull.”