and so it begins (Sproule Signs Pre-Contract With Hibs)

***flash*** · 18-05-2011 09:09 AM

Welcome back Ivan.

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20...262950_2362158

**Thecat23** · 18-05-2011 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by flash

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Welcome back Ivan.

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20...262950_2362158

Not his biggest fan and can't say i'm over the moon at this, but welcome back Ivan all the best as you will need it.

**Violater** · 18-05-2011 09:14 AM

**FranckSuzy** · 18-05-2011 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by flash

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Welcome back Ivan.

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20...262950_2362158

Well IMHO, I think this is a piece of much-needed good news from Hibs. Welcome back Ivan

At least he'll give us 100%.

**LancashireHibby** · 18-05-2011 09:15 AM

Not always convinced about re-signing old players and the like, but one thing Ivan can guarantee is excitement going forward and I'm sure we'll agree that that's something we're in dire need of.

***easty*** · 18-05-2011 09:19 AM

I'm happy to see him back, but I hope this isnt the highlight of the transfer window for us.

Ivan can be an exicting player, no doubt, but we need a lot more talent throughout the squad to be added in the next couple of months.

***Hibby Kay-Yay*** · 18-05-2011 09:22 AM

Will be good to see what he has learned since he left and if he is a better all round player!

Welcome home son!

**HUTCHYHIBBY** · 18-05-2011 09:22 AM

Will the first home game of the season be all ticket now?

**PeeJay** · 18-05-2011 09:23 AM

I'm prepared to give any player that signs for us a chance on the park, time will tell if it is a good move for all concerned, let's hope so - good luck to him!

**Beefster** · 18-05-2011 09:23 AM

Welcome back, Ivan.

I hope this is just the start because on the wings is probably one of the areas of the squad that are least urgent in terms of strengthening.

***matty_f*** · 18-05-2011 09:23 AM

Delighted to see him back.

Someone that really took to the club and the fans took to him.

He'll be a better player from his experiences, and he will bring much needed pace to the team and another attacking outlet. Considering Sodje is pretty quick we could finally have a speedy front line, which is a far cry from this season.

Will no doubt be singing about dreaming of a team of Ivan Sproules for the rest of the day now.

Wonder why we're announcing it as a pre-contract rather than just a signing - is the transfer window not open yet?

***essexhibee*** · 18-05-2011 09:24 AM

Welcome home Ivan.

Rangers will be ****ting it

**Westie1875** · 18-05-2011 09:26 AM

Anyone know how long he is signing for?

***H18sry*** · 18-05-2011 09:26 AM

Hibernian can confirm that Ivan Sproule has signed a pre-contract agreement with the club and the winger says he is delighted to be returning "home" to Easter Road next season.
Sproule recorded 94 appearances during his first spell with Hibernian and was a popular figure with the club's supporters before joining Bristol City in June 2007.
Now four years later the Northern Ireland internationalist admits he is elated at the prospect of returning to Hibernian and wearing the green and white next term.
Speaking exclusively to Hibernian TV, Sproule said: "There is nobody happier than me at the minute. I feel I'm returning in order to give something back to Hibs and that I'm coming home.
"I want to help this crop of young players to push on and achieve some great moments.
"The gaffer (Colin Calderwood) is building a side that can climb up the table again and hopefully my experience can help make sure that happens.
"I had a few opportunities to stay down in England, but I told my agent that this was the place I wanted to come back to.
"Coming back, I would say I'm a much stronger and wiser player than I was when I left four years ago.
"When I went to Bristol City, I felt it was the right move, although I was very disappointed to leave Hibs.
"I left a lot of good friends and good memories at the club. The fans were always great to me and, even when I was playing for Bristol City, I would get more fan mail from Hibs supporters than from Bristol City supporters."
Since his departure, Hibernian have introduced the Training Centre at East Mains and Sproule had one word to sum up his initial verdict on the facilities - mind-blowing.
He added: "The Training Centre is mind-blowing because when I was here before you'd have to get a taxi or a bus over to Musselburgh or other places to train.
"The facilities are brilliant and I can't wait to come back and train in pre-season."
Manager Colin Calderwood welcomed the arrival of Sproule and believes the winger will bring three attributes to the squad; pace, character and experience.
Calderwood said: "Ivan gives us a bit of what we were looking for in terms of genuine pace and personality plus he adds another experienced voice in the dressing room.
"The fact he has been at the club before means the settling in period will be quicker.
"Ivan was available was to come and expressed an interest in joining the club and, of course, we wanted to sign him, so that meant the agreement was reached smoothly and quickly.
"I've been impressed with his performances over the past few years down in England and I'm sure he'll prove to be an asset to the squad."

***blackpoolhibs*** · 18-05-2011 09:27 AM

He certainly used to get me off my seat, if he can do that again he will be a decent signing.

**Steve-O** · 18-05-2011 09:27 AM

Great news

***Mikey*** · 18-05-2011 09:28 AM

**smurf** · 18-05-2011 09:34 AM

A good start. We need more. Much more.

"We all dream of a team of Ivan Sproules!"

**LancashireHibby** · 18-05-2011 09:39 AM

Was his hat trick really that long ago?!

**The Gorf** · 18-05-2011 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by flash

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Welcome back Ivan.

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20...262950_2362158

I remember him running his wee cotton socks off but forgetting to pass.

I hope he still is the workhorse but maybe not so greedy with the ball this time round.

Welcome back Ivan

***Baldy Foghorn*** · 18-05-2011 09:42 AM

Since 2010 he has started 2 games for Yeovil, and 5 for Notts County....

Was he even watched by CC or has IS agent just phoned up Rod, who have taken a punt on him? Whatever way I think this is a terrible decision to bring him back, and surely we should be setting our targets a bit higher than this?

***Golden Bear*** · 18-05-2011 09:42 AM

A one legged Ivan will still have more pace than his new teammates.

***matty_f*** · 18-05-2011 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Mikey

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Originally Posted by Baldy Foghorn

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Since 2010 he has started 2 games for Yeovil, and 5 for Notts County....

Was he even watched by CC or has IS agent just phoned up Rod, who have taken a punt on him? Whatever way I think this is a terrible decision to bring him back, and surely we should be setting our targets a bit higher than this?

See above.

***Jamesie*** · 18-05-2011 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Baldy Foghorn

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Since 2010 he has started 2 games for Yeovil, and 5 for Notts County....

Was he even watched by CC or has IS agent just phoned up Rod, who have taken a punt on him? Whatever way I think this is a terrible decision to bring him back, and surely we should be setting our targets a bit higher than this?

Have to agree with the latter comment. Rewind to when Sproule first signed for us and I don't think he was being touted as the saviour in the same manner the club is portraying him at present - that in itself is telling on where we are now compared to where we were then.

I very much doubt whether this will see fans racing to buy / renew season tickets.

***Baldy Foghorn*** · 18-05-2011 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by matty_f

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See above.

Yes I was there that day, but still not getting my pants wet over his return

***blackpoolhibs*** · 18-05-2011 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Baldy Foghorn

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Yes I was there that day, but still not getting my pants wet over his return

I knew that was coming Brockie.

***givescotlandfreedom*** · 18-05-2011 09:51 AM

Welcome home, Ivan

**Wilson** · 18-05-2011 09:53 AM

Underwhelmed. Wasn't too disappointed when he left to be honest. I found him to be a really frustrating player.

I hope CC has his eye on some serious quality. Ivan might sell a few STs on the back of his hat-trick against Rangers but he doesn't have the quality to take us up the table.

**MyJo** · 18-05-2011 09:54 AM

Cheer up you bunch of miserable sods

We've signed an experienced player with a bit of pace who loves the club almost as much as we do before the transfer window has even opened and he automatically comes with at least two songs for the fans to sing

all together now, he's here....he's there......