Hibs set to sign ex Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne

Last updated : 10 August 2011 By Steve Forbes

Hibs are today expected to announce their fifth signing of the summer, with Isaiah Osbourne set to sign for the Hibees.

The 23-year-old midfielder has just been released by Aston Villa after 5 years with the English giants.

Former England U16 international Osbourne is expected to pen to paper on a 2-year-deal at Easter Road.

The combatitive midfielder played over 30 games for Villa, and also spent time out on loan at Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday.

Osbourne, whose brother Issac recently signed for Aberdeen, has been on Colin Calderwood’s radar for some time, the Hibees boss said:

"The problem is a lot of sides there have loaded their bases early this summer and don't have any more space.

"So I have my fingers crossed we can get everything signed and sealed.

"Isaiah is a player I have admired for some time and someone who was very much in my thoughts when I was at Forest. He actually went there on loan after I left the club.

"But I never expected he would become available in the manner he has now and that just shows the calibre of players who have become available this summer.

"He's a big, athletic type whose biggest strength is his physical ability and I see him as someone who will get forward for us and make things happen.

"He was given a great football education at Aston Villa and he could easily play for any club in the Championship."

"I know he and his family went up to watch Sunday's (Aberdeen] game with Celtic at Pittodrie, so it will have increased their awareness of the game up here.

"I am confident this will turn out to be a really good deal for the club."

Osbourne will become Calderwood's fifth summer signing, following the arrivals of Ivan Sproule, Garry O'Connor, Sean O'Hanlon and Junior Agogo.