After a quiet start to the January transfer window, Hibs have added “three quality players”, according to manager Nick Montgomery.
Much needed quality from a Hibs point of view, the recent loss to Rangers stretched their winless league run to four games.
The first signing of the window was Myzaine Maloida from German club Union Berlin, a forward with a high pedigree who has been signed for a total of 14 million euros throughout his career.
The 24-year-old joined on loan until the end of the season, Montgomery said: “Myziane is a very talented young player who has undoubted potential to play at the very highest level.
“For us to have the chance to sign a player of this calibre in January is an opportunity we worked hard to make happen.”
Hibs also took the opportunity to offer former Tottenham Hotspur player, Luke Amos, a trial period with the squad.
The 26-year-old had been without a club since being released by QPR in June 2023 and, after a successful trial stint, the midfielder signed an 18-month deal to bolster Hibs’ midfield options.
Perhaps the most interesting transfer of the three was the loan signing of AFC Bournemouth midfielder, Emiliano Marcondes, until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a successful career thus far, achieving promotion from the English Championship with both Bournemouth and Brentford.
It also indicates how the two clubs could potentially work together in the future as Hibs await SFA approval on Bill Foley’s minority investment.
The Danish attacking midfielder met Montgomery in Dubai where the squad were holding their winter training camp, there he was shown how he could potentially fit into the team’s system.
Despite attracting interest from elsewhere, the overseas meeting gave Hibs an advantage when Marcondes chose his next club, Montgomery said: “When you can look someone in the eye, you can have an honest conversation and you can create a relationship.
“I told him we could help him get back playing competitively, and he can help us.
“He is a top quality player, and it is about trying to win games of football.”
If Hibs are to have any hope of closing the gap on their city rivals in third, it is crucial the new signings can hit the ground running, if not, the bottom six is a real possibility.
Post Rangers, Montgomery said: “We’re in a rebuilding phase, I knew that coming into the club, and that this January transfer window wasn’t going to be easy.
“We’ve brought three quality players in, but they need to get up to speed.”
Centre-back is a position that Hibs have needed to address for some time, Montgomery said: “We were close to a good centre-back, but the club decided they needed to keep him.
“We’ll keep trying to look for re-enforcements, but it’s very hard. But I know where we’re going, and right now it’s a bit of short-term pain.”
February brings a packed month of tough league fixtures for Hibs, and a fifth-round Scottish Cup away tie to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Masters Student currently studying Sports Journalism at Edinburgh Napier University.
