Hibs have announced three new loan signings: Notts County striker Danny Haynes, Sunderland winger Duncan Watmore and Arsenal defender Daniel Boateng. The trio will join the club on loan until the end of the season. All loan moves are subject to international clearance.
Throughout the transfer window, Terry Butcher has insisted that he wanted to bring in new faces to freshen up the squad, but likened the process to the domino world championship where one move could spark a series of others.
He also maintained that any moved would be in the last few days, and the Hibs’ boss has been true to his word.
Former England under-19 internationalist Haynes, 26, is a quick forward, who can operate on either wing or through the middle and arrives at Easter Road with a wealth of English Championship experience.
After originally making his name at Ipswich Town – where he won the 2005 FA Youth Cup alongside Hibernian captain Liam Craig – Haynes has experienced spells with Millwall (loan), Bristol City, Barnsley and Charlton Athletic before joining Notts County in the summer.
Butcher believes Haynes will provide extra width and pace to Hibernian’s attack and says he is delighted to have finalised the loan deal.
Butcher told Hibernian TV: “Danny is an extremely quick forward, who can play anywhere up front. I’ve followed his career since he made the breakthrough at my old club, Ipswich Town and he has scored goals wherever he has played.
“He will add extra experience, pace and quality to our forward line and we’re pleased to be able to bring Danny to Hibernian.”
Butcher watched Watmore in action for Sunderland’s under-21 side against Stoke City earlier on in the month and believes the inclusion of 19-year-old will add an extra attacking option to the team.
He added: “Duncan is a quick, direct winger with a good work-rate. He is a young player, who has impressed me with his intelligence on the pitch, eye for goal and quality deliveries into the box.
“Duncan has already made his first team debut at Sunderland and he is highly-rated by the coaching staff there; we’re pleased to be able to add him to the squad.”
Formerly with English non-league side Altrincham, Watmore joined Sunderland in the summer and made his first team bow at the beginning of January in an FA Cup tie against Carlisle United.
Right-back Boateng, 21, has progressed up through the youth ranks at Arsenal and has previously been on loan at both Swindon Town and Oxford United. Boateng will join up with the Hibernian squad on Monday.
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.
