Latest news with #UEFAEuropaConferenceLeague
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Jordan Obita signs contract extension at Hibs
Jordan Obita has signed a new contract that extends his time at Hibs until the summer of 2027. In his first season at Hibs, Obita's eye-catching displays saw him win two awards; the 2023/24 Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season. Since joining in 2023, the left-back has made 87 appearances to date, alongside chipping in with seven assists and two goals. One of those strikes was a memorable one as he bagged in Hibs UEFA Europa Conference League win against Luzern at Easter Road in August 2023. His performances for Hibs also earned him an international call-up to Uganda. On Obita's new deal, Hibs Head Coach David Gray said: 'I'm really pleased we've been able to extend Jordan's stay with us. He's an important part of the squad and has shown real consistency since joining us a couple of years ago. 'Jordan adds flexibility to the backline being able to play at left-wing back and on the left-side of the back three and has attributes that help us defensively and going forward. We look forward to continuing working with him.' Hibs Sporting Director Malky Mackay added: 'We're constantly planning for the future and extending Jordan's contract at this club for a further year is a really positive step. 'Not only has Jordan showed his ability during his time with us, but he also leads by example at HTC and on the pitch every single day. He is a fantastic role model for our younger players and has helped a lot of them settle into the group when coming up from the Academy. 'Jordan has a young family and is really enjoying his time with us, so we're all delighted he will continue his stay with us.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs boss David Gray thrilled as 'important' Jordan Obita tied down on new deal
The former Reading, Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers was praised for the versatility he brings to the Easter Road side. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs head coach David Gray was delighted that the club were able to secure a new contract for Jordan Obita, describing the former Reading player as an 'important part' of his squad. The 31-year old was in the final season of his deal at Easter Road, having been a club since 2023, and has put pen to paper on a two year extension which will keep him in the capital until the summer of 2027. It is another important piece of business for the club as they prepare for the new domestic season and their European campaign which begins next week with the first leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie against FC Midtjylland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The defender, who in his first season with Hibs in 2023/24 was named Hibs' Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season, brings essential versatility to the squad especially if they progress to league phase European football. Those qualities were praised by David Gray upon the announcement of the twice capped Uganda international's new deal. The Hibs gaffer said: 'I'm really pleased we've been able to extend Jordan's stay with us. He's an important part of the squad and has shown real consistency since joining us a couple of years ago. 'Jordan adds flexibility to the backline being able to play at left-wing back and on the left-side of the back three and has attributes that help us defensively and going forward. We look forward to continuing working with him.' Hibs 'planning for the future' as Obita lands new two year contract Hibernian FC Sporting Director Malky Mackay added: 'We're constantly planning for the future and extending Jordan's contract at this club for a further year is a really positive step. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Not only has Jordan showed his ability during his time with us, but he also leads by example at HTC and on the pitch every single day. He is a fantastic role model for our younger players and has helped a lot of them settle into the group when coming up from the Academy. 'Jordan has a young family and is really enjoying his time with us, so we're all delighted he will continue his stay with us.' Since joining Hibs 2023, Obita has made 87 first team appearances and contributed seven assists and two goals. One of those strikes was a memorable one as he bagged in the UEFA Europa Conference League win against Luzern at Easter Road in August 2023. Obita's contract extension means that Hibs now have five first team players who are currently set to be out of contract by this time next summer. Élie Youan, Lewis Miller, Martin Boyle, Dylan Levitt and Junior Hoilett are all now in the final year of their existing Hibs' contracts.
Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Shankland pleased to be off the mark with a double
Lawrence Shankland hit the post in the build-up to James Wilson's opening goal after three minutes and then netted with two second-half penalties inside three minutes as Hearts beat Dunfermline Athletic 4-1 at Tynecastle in the Jambos first outing in the Premier Sports Cup, Group E. The second is against Hamilton Academical on Tuesday (kick-off 19.45) at Cumbernauld, and the skipper argued you cannot be too critical of players at this stage of the season. First and foremost, he told the media after Saturday's game, that it was good to get off to a winning start in the group. He added: 'It was a good day for us in that heat. It was the first game and it was competitive, but it is still pre-season season and the boys are still trying to find that match sharpness so these games can be over analysed. 'I believe we will get there and we had a good response on the bounce back (after Dunfermline levelled at 1-1). They (The Pars) had a good travelling support, and credit to them, and it had the feel of a cup tie and that helped.' Neil Lennon's men committed a few bodies forward during the second half and that is when Hearts were awarded two penalties (76 and 79 minutes) which swung the game in their favour but, sportingly, Shankland said: 'The scoreline was a wee bit harsh in how it reads, but it was good for us.' He acknowledged that the Premier Sports Cup, also known as the Scottish League Cup, allows players to get games and goals 'under their belt' and he added: 'When the penalties came about I thankfully put them away.' It was he said, instinct, which dictated where he was going to place the ball from the spot for the second award and he revealed: 'I took two steps towards the ball and thought: 'where am I going here'. I think when you are on a second penalty there is a bit of a mind game between you and the keeper. 'The guy knows me (Deniz Mehmet was a team-mate with Shankland at Dundee United) and he has obviously gambled. I even considered should I change and let somebody else take it (the second penalty), but the opportunity was too good to get a second (goal) and I was delighted to see it hit the back of the net.' Shankland reflected that it could have been his first penalties for the club after missing against Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge in the UEFA Europa Conference League in late November last year – Brugge won 2-0 – and he said: 'My brain reminded me of that when I put the ball down (for the first spot kick) so I was probably concentrating on keeping the ball down so much and I did not quite catch it right. It was in the corner and when they hit the net you are always happy.' Overall, Shankland said he was happy with his fitness and revealed that the newcomers, including Portugese-born forward Claudio Braga, were settling into the environment at Hearts. He added: 'It has been a bright start and, hopefully, they keep getting stronger.' For the record, Hamilton also got off to a winning start at the weekend, beating Stirling Albion 2-0 on the road at Forthbank Stadium with goals from Connor Smith and Kyle MacDonald after 52 and 59 minutes. Hearts are at Forthbank on Saturday (July 19, kick-off 17.15) SMILES BETTER: Lawrence Shankland pictured by David Mollison Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Wolves line up £10m Crystal Palace kid with just eight Eagles appearances to replace Cunha after Man Utd transfer
Read on to find out who Wolves are looking at to replace Cunha WOLF CUB Wolves line up £10m Crystal Palace kid with just eight Eagles appearances to replace Cunha after Man Utd transfer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WOLVES will put Crystal Palace youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on their shortlist to replace Matheus Cunha. Rak-Sakyi, 22, is back at Selhurst Park after spending last season on loan at Sheffield United. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Jesurun Rak-Sakyi came through the Crystal Palace academy Credit: Getty 3 He spent last season out at Sheffield United where he played 36 times Credit: Rex 3 He's also had loan spells at Charlton Athletic Credit: Getty The winger's £10million price tag has put off Rangers but may be OK for the Old Gold. Wolves have just cashed in on Cunha by selling the Brazil star to Manchester United for £62.5m. Rak-Sakyi came through the ranks at Crystal Palace, winning the club's Young Player of the Year award and being tipped to replace Wilfried Zaha, who enjoyed a similar trajectory. But as is often the case in football, five years down the line, the forward is yet to make his mark at Selhurst. Those who know him say his potential is limitless, but he just needs a manager who will trust him with consistent minutes in the Premier League. Palace are reportedly willing to part ways with him, as the club looks to rebuild ahead of their European adventure after winning the FA Cup. The Eagles are set to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season, after being booted out of the Europa League due to a complicated multi-club ownership situation involving Lyon. Palace have stated they will fight the decision with the club's ultra fans planning a protest and accusing UEFA of only thinking about money. SunSport understands they will be heading to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to try to overturn UEFA's verdict. Eberechi Eze to Tottenham LATEST | Transfers Exposed This means the club is now battling on two fronts, challenging their European demotion while also trying to strengthen the squad for next season. Any potential incomings or exits will likely take longer than the club would have hoped. But given the circumstances, this summer is shaping up to be a tough one for everyone associated with the club. Rak-Sakyi, though, will be hoping for clarity on his future so he can focus on playing football, whether that be at Palace or Wolves. The Eagles are also anticipating bids for both Eberechi Eze, who has suitors at Arsenal, and Marc Guehi, who has long been linked with Liverpool.
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs break record transfer fee to sign 18 cap international striker from Luzern
David Gray has added more firepower to his front line with the addition of former Bordeaux forward Thibault Klidjé. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs have broken their record transfer fee to sign striker Thibault Klidjé on a three year deal from Swiss Super League side Luzern. The 24-year old forward, who has been capped 18 times for Togo, becomes the Easter Road club's fourth signing of the window following the arrivals of Jamie McGrath, Raphael Sallinger and Josh Mulligan. He previously played in France's Ligue 1 with Bordeaux before signing for Luzern in 2022. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs fans will remember the Swiss side from facing them in UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying that year. Klidjé was not part of the squad though, signing two weeks after the Edinburgh club knocked them out of the competition. How much have Hibs paid for Thibault Klidjé? What was the previous record transfer fee? Hibs have not officially confirmed the transfer fee but have qnnounced that it is a club record. The previous record was held by Ulises de la Cruz for over two decades after the Edinburgh club paid around £700,000 for his services in 2001. The Edinburgh Evening News understands that the Hibees have smashed that record and forked out over £1 million for Klidjé. That makes him the first official seven figure signing by a Scottish club, other than Celtic or Rangers, since Aberdeen paid £1 million to Oldham Athletic to sign Paul Bernard in 1995 - although some signings for 'undisclosed' amounts since then have been rumoured to be above that number. The Togo international joins Hibs off the back of a fruitful season in the Swiss Super League, he had 15 goal contributions in 39 appearances for Luzern last season, scoring 12 as his side finished sixth in the Swiss top-flight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Across club and country, Klidjé has made over 100 senior appearances and adds an extra dimension to the Hibs front-line. On the international stage, he has earned 18 caps for Togo and scored two goals. What have head coach David Gray and sporting director Malky Mackay said about new Hibs signing Thibault Klidjé? After Klidjé put pen-to-paper, Hibernian FC Head Coach David Gray commented: 'We're delighted to have attracted someone of Thibault's quality to the Football Club. He adds extra pace and trickery to our front line and performed well for Luzern last season, and at 24 has a lot of room for development. We want to help him progress, and look forward to working with him moving forward.' Hibernian FC Sporting Director Malky Mackay added: 'We have been tracking Thibault for a long period of time and are excited to have finally got our man. I would firstly like to thank the Gordon Family and our Board for showing this ambition and investment. 'It's been our aim to continue to add top quality young strikers to our club and we have been given the chance to do that with Thibault. He is a young, driven, ambitious player who importantly wants to come and play for Hibs. We welcome him to Easter Road and look forward to him pulling on the strip.'
