Hibs Academy/Development Squad 25/26

[Rumble de Thump]

The youngsters have had a cracking season, having been crowned Club Academy Scotland Elite League champions. They scored 80+ goals and lost just three times.

The under 18s will compete as under 19s this coming season, and compete in the UEFA Youth League. Hopefully it will be onwards and upwards for them.

I'm hoping a few of them will get a few games in the senior team, particularly Dean Cleland, who scored 38 goals in all competitions in 24/25.

The Development Squad's first pre-season game will be against Berwick Rangers at Sheffield Park on July 5 at 3pm. Get along and support them if you can. You might see a few Hibee superstars of the future.

[Tambo]

Nice to see this thread has been created again for next season 👍

[HIBS NUTS]

Aye good , I’ve been a regular, for these pre season friendlies, and was at Berwick last season, it has a supporters club just outside the entrance to the ground, and a nice pint,I met a few of the young lads, parents, and I was hearing all the gossip.
Thats were I learned that we got a huge fee, for the young goalkeeper, who went to Manchester City.

[HIBS NUTS]

I enjoyed the trip to gala, as well, were Jacob McIntyre put on a show, and showed, he was to good for the under 18s.

[HIBS NUTS]

There appears to be a new system for under 21 players in SPL, were players can move more freely on loan, between, Scottish clubs, outwith the transfer window.
STV sport news

[Paul1642]

There appears to be a new system for under 21 players in SPL, were players can move more freely on loan, between, Scottish clubs, outwith the transfer window.
STV sport news

Link copied for yerauldda’s thread on the subject

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/young-players-given-greater-flexibility-to-move-during-key-development-stage-as-cooperation-system-launches-in-scotland/


Hopefully something we hopefully make good use of as we seem to age a real talented bunch yet it’s been a while since an academy graduate made a first team place their own.

[Paul1642]

I'm hoping a few of them will get a few games in the senior team, particularly Dean Cleland, who scored 38 goals in all competitions in 24/25.

Would Clelland be expected to go out on loan this season? I’ve never seen him play but 38 goals says to me he’s ready to hit the level between youth football and our own first team which would be somewhere in the lower leagues. No idea how high up the pyramid he would slot into.

Perhaps making use of the new Cooperation system could be a good hybrid for him.

[HIBS NUTS]

Would Clelland be expected to go out on loan this season? I’ve never seen him play but 38 goals says to me he’s ready to hit the level between youth football and our own first team which would be somewhere in the lower leagues. No idea how high up the pyramid he would slot into.

Perhaps making use of the new Cooperation system could be a good hybrid for him.

He has to play CL games at under 19s, before he goes anywhere.

[Paul1642]

He has to play CL games at under 19s, before he goes anywhere.

A very good point. Maybe pre season with the first team and a January loan?

What is the format for the youth CL. Do they have many guaranteed game or is it knockout all the way?

[HIBS NUTS]

A very good point. Maybe a January loan?

Under the new sfa system, he can leave on loan at any time of the season.

[Souter96Mac]

A very good point. Maybe pre season with the first team and a January loan?

What is the format for the youth CL. Do they have many guaranteed game or is it knockout all the way?

It's knockout football for the domestic champions.

It's a bit of a funny format - so the domestic champions have to play 3 rounds, home & away to make it through to the round of 32.

Meanwhile, there's a league phase - but I think this is just all of the youth teams of the senior teams who qualified for the champions league.

They play out the league phase, and then the top teams qualify into the round of 32 to meet the domestic champions...I think?

[CapitalGreen]

He has to play CL games at under 19s, before he goes anywhere.

Why does he have to play those games? Will it better for his development forgoing half a season on loan playing adult football for potentially a couple of European ties against other kids?

[Brightside]

The new rules that will allow us to have partner clubs at every level in the leagues will be excellent for the young players. Games with adults and still able to come back and play at dev level is much needed.

[HIBS NUTS]

Why does he have to play those games? Will it better for his development forgoing half a season on loan playing adult football for potentially a couple of European ties against other kids?

I would imagine , that he wants to play other European teams in the CL format, with his team mates, than an immediate loan to a lower league team, especially as it appears, he could now go on loan at any time, after the European games.

[CapitalGreen]

I would imagine , that he wants to play other European teams in the CL format, with his team mates, than an immediate loan to a lower league team, especially as it appears, he could now go on loan at any time, after the European games.

He may want to but developing players to be good enough for first team football is the priority not kids football with his mates. There’s clear evidence that the academy players who join teams on loan during preseason have more fruitful loan spells than those who join during season and need to break into an established team.

[number9dream]

I would imagine , that he wants to play other European teams in the CL format, with his team mates, than an immediate loan to a lower league team, especially as it appears, he could now go on loan at any time, after the European games.

Think he can do both under new cooperation system. We can send up to three players to any one club in the divisions below the Championship and they can come and go at any time.

[HIBS NUTS]

He may want to but developing players to be good enough for first team football is the priority not kids football with his mates. There’s clear evidence that the academy players who join teams on loan during preseason have more fruitful loan spells than those who join during season and need to break into an established team.

It’s great that the goalposts have changed in this regard, he and his young teammates, can do pre season training with the hibs Squad, which I would imagine would be of a higher tempo, and of a better standard than say kelty hearts .
Be assessed, then given the best opportunity, for each individual, that might be playing under 19, going on loan, playing in Youth CL, or even as part of the large first team squad, needed if we qualify for more European league games.
The new system appears to be set up, to do all of these, during the entire season.
I agree that ideally the player on loan, would train with the players that he would be playing with for a whole window, but it appears the young players and his team can now chose more alternatives.
At the end of the day , I trust hibs management team to do what’s best.
For what it’s worth I think Cleland is the best natural finisher, I’ve seen as a young striker at hibs, miles better than Young, Laidlaw, Landers, Occonner, Gullan.
His attitude, and work rate in games is off the scale, and that is main attributes needed.

[HIBS NUTS]

Think he can do both under new cooperation system. We can send up to three players to any one club in the divisions below the Championship and they can come and go at any time.

Aye it seems a big improvement 👍

[Tambo]

Good luck to the young lads off to France.

https://x.com/HibernianFC/status/1931257569911402663

[Tambo]

Some of Hibernian’s most exciting young title winners are likely to miss out on a UEFA Youth League adventure as they look to take the next step into senior football, according to the man who guided the club’s under-18s to a stunning league triumph. And former Easter Road favourite Darren McGregor, the head coach behind last season’s Club Academy Scotland championship win, admits he probably won’t have the final say in how many of his squad are around for the shot at European glory.

[HIBS NUTS]

Some of Hibernian’s most exciting young title winners are likely to miss out on a UEFA Youth League adventure as they look to take the next step into senior football, according to the man who guided the club’s under-18s to a stunning league triumph. And former Easter Road favourite Darren McGregor, the head coach behind last season’s Club Academy Scotland championship win, admits he probably won’t have the final say in how many of his squad are around for the shot at European glory.

All the current team are eligible, for the CL youth games, or to go out on loan and still play in both set ups, however at this time of year, the whole team can’t be offered, full time contracts, as it stops other young players from stepping up a level, it must be terrible telling some of that successful team, that their services are no longer required.😞

[Tambo]

Finished 3rd in the tournament.

[cabbageandribs1875]

Congratulations to Hibs Academy youngster Logan Jimenez who has signed his first professional contract with the Club!

Hibernian FC | Logan Jimenez Signs First Pro Deal (https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/12/logan-jimenez-signs-first-pro-deal-/?fbclid=IwY2xjawK31oNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBNWm8y MG5ZVENuRTB4S3RwAR59bvbGy-RuLHD30HPZs10YHH2Pe0B9idAI1z_ajA-MbVOIpa8sD8u6-rnejg_aem_m_nYTVTkigAqU4wZy4iWQg)

[HIBS NUTS]

Congratulations to Hibs Academy youngster Logan Jimenez who has signed his first professional contract with the Club!

Hibernian FC | Logan Jimenez Signs First Pro Deal (https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/12/logan-jimenez-signs-first-pro-deal-/?fbclid=IwY2xjawK31oNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBNWm8y MG5ZVENuRTB4S3RwAR59bvbGy-RuLHD30HPZs10YHH2Pe0B9idAI1z_ajA-MbVOIpa8sD8u6-rnejg_aem_m_nYTVTkigAqU4wZy4iWQg)

Took over centreforward position, when landers left, played well in this new role, has played international football for Bermuda

[Rumble de Thump]

Freddie Owens has signed a one year extension. He seemed to do well on loan at Civil Service Strollers. Hopefully he can get a loan at a higher level this season.

[tbfhibs2]

Freddie Owens has signed a one year extension. He seemed to do well on loan at Civil Service Strollers. Hopefully he can get a loan at a higher level this season.

Should find out soon.