SOUTH KOREAN midfielder Kwon Hyeuk-kyu has signed a season-long loan with Hibs.
The 23-year-old anchorman, who joined the champions in an £850,000 deal from K-League outfit Busan IPark last summer, has yet to kick a ball in competitive action for the Hoops.
Kwon also left Parkhead in January in a short-term switch to St Mirren where he made nine appearances and is now on the move again to another Premiership club.
WINNER ON ITS WAY…Kwon Hyeuk-kyu slips the ball across to Luis Palma (out of picture) to slot in Celtic’s fourth goal against Manchester City in North Carolina in the champions’ USA tour. Keeper Ederson can only look on.
Coincidentally, the teams met in Edinburgh in the league last weekend with the visitors winning 2-0 and they lock horns again in the Premier Sports League Cup at Hampden on Sunday.
Kwon, of course, will not be allowed to face his parent club at the national stadium.
Former Hoops central defender Malky Mackay, Hibs’ sporting director, said: “We’re really pleased to make Kwon our ninth signing of the summer transfer window.
“He is another top professional to add to the first team group, comes with a good pedigree and adds a real presence on the pitch.
“We’d like to thank Brendan Rodgers and Celtic for the smooth handling of the move, and how quickly and efficiently we were able to get this deal done.”
SHOVE OFF…Kwon Hyeuk-kyu tussles for the ball with Todd Cantwell during St Mirren’s match against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side in Paisley last season.
The Leith club’s boss David Gray, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “Kwon provides us with another option in midfield, being able to play as both a deeper 6 and as an 8.
“As a player, he’s a great athlete, he’s very competitive, and comfortable on the ball. He showed these capabilities during an impressive loan spell last season.”
Kwon is the second of last summer’s recruits to be placed on a long-term loan with Australian international winger Marco Tilio returning to Melbourne City until the end of June next year.
