Defender Jack Iredale has joined Hibs from English League One side Bolton Wanderers on a two year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year-old has amassed over 250 senior career appearances in Australia, Scotland, and England.
Born in Greenock, Scotland, Iredale moved to New Zealand, and then Australia, at a young age and came through the Australian Institute of Sport before spending the 2016/17 season with Perth Glory’s youth team, overcoming a string of serious injuries.
Those setbacks didn’t deter him as he played for NPL Western Australian club ECU Joondalup before going on trial with then Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton.
In his first season with the ‘Ton, he made 15 appearances in all competition, alongside a loan spell with Queen’s Park in the third-tier of Scottish football. His name was in the headlines when a wonder-strike against Dundee United was nominated for the SPFA Goal of the Season award, and his performances earned him a new contract extension.
The left-sided defender then joined Carlisle United in English League Two before joining Cambridge United – in the same division – a year later. He was ever-present as the U’s finished second in League Two, earning them promotion to the third-tier of English football.
Iredale continued to shine in League One, which earned him a move to Bolton Wanderers.
Unfortunately, his first season with the Trotters was hampered due to injury, but his second was almost a memorable one! The centre-half, who can also play at left-back, fought his way into the side and almost helped the Club to promotion.
They beat Barnsley in the Play-Off Semi-Final but fell short in the Final at Wembley Stadium losing to Oxford United.
Internationally, Iredale has been capped by Australia’s Under-17s – a country he moved to at a young age.
Hibs Head Coach David Gray said: “Jack is an experienced centre-half and knows the Scottish game well from his time at Greenock Morton and Queen’s Park.
“We’ve wanted to add a left-footed defender to the First Team squad this window, and he adds extra flexibility and competition for places being comfortable at both centre-half and left-back.
“It’s great to be able to welcome Jack to Hibs and we look forward to working with him.”
Sporting Director Malky Mackay added: “It was important that we added to our defensive options during this transfer window.
“Jack adds good experience to the dressing room and is an excellent character, which is important when we look at the dynamic of the squad. We’re delighted to bring him to the Club.”
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.
