Hibs’ youngster Ben Stirling has agreed a permanent transfer to Hamilton Academical.
The 22-year-old who came through the youth system at the Easter Road side has enjoyed successful loan spells with teams such as Arbroath and Alloa Athletic where he gained valuable Scottish Championship experience.
The Academy graduate was promoted to the first-team squad in the summer for the start of pre-season training and impressed the coaching staff with his dedicated attitude.
Speaking to the Hamilton Academical website Stirling shared his delight to sign for the club.
He said: “The amount of youth players this club brings through and develops that is something I want to be a part of. When Brian Rice phoned me I knew this was the club where I want to develop and hopefully get my chance.
“Looking at Scott (Martin) coming here, playing week in and week out, it gave me that extra incentive to make the move and follow in his footsteps and try to nail down a starting position in the first team.
“I spoke to Goga (Alex Gogic) on Friday and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the club. He came here for a few years and loved every minute of it. After my first training session with the lads I can see why.”
The former Scotland U17 international is eligible for selection against Hibs on Friday night and he is looking forward to the opportunity.
He added: “There is no better place to start. I just need to focus on impressing over the next couple of days and then hopefully I will be able to get some minutes.”
Hibs’ Head Coach Jack Ross said: “I have a lot of time for Ben and the ‘easy’ thing for me to do would be to keep him here – particularly when he can play in a few positions.
“However, he’s at a point in his career when he needs and deserves to be playing regularly. He’s a great boy to work with and the last thing I’d want to do would be to stall his development.
“It’s a great move for him and I’ve no doubt he’ll do well at Hamilton.”
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.
