27th June 2001
Orman signs up to the Hibee dream
Alen's versatility the key to Hibs future
(Stuart Crowther)

ALEN ORMAN FINALLY ARRIVED in time for pre-season training at Easter Road, and signed a long-awaited deal that will see the 23-year-old Bosnian remain in Edinburgh for four years.

Hibs boss Alex McLeish had been on the trail of Orman for months, and was delighted today to add the Bosnian to his squad alongside record signing Ulises de la Cruz, who will join Orman and the rest of the Hibs squad for training on Thursday.  "Alen is a good solid player," McLeish said today, adding: "He is quick and quite an enthusiastic lad with big ambitions, a young man with a hunger.  He is very versatile, and can play in a back four or midfield - he will be a good addition to our squad."

McLeish with new signing Alen Orman today (sns)

Having played almost all of his football in Belgium, Orman holds dual nationality and therefore will not cause Hibs any permit problems, while language will not be a problem either as the player speaks English better than many Scots!

Meanwhile the Hibs boss is assuring fans that there will be more new faces arriving at the club, although it is now unlikely that this will be in time to join the squad at the start of pre-season training.  The club continue a daily dialogue with Toulouse over Marc Libbra, and while frustrated at the delays McLeish remained upbeat, saying: "We are still trying to resolve that deal, we have not given up on it yet."