Hibs sign Bolton midfielder Josh Vela

Last updated : 17 July 2019 By Steve Forbes

Hibs have today completed the signing of Bolton Wanderers midfielder Josh Vela.

The all action midfielder has signed a 3-year-deal at Easter Road after leaving Bolton Wanderers after 17 years.

25-year-old Vela becomes the Hibees seventh summer signing and fills the void in central midfield after the departures of Mark Milligan and Marvin Bartley.

Speaking to the official club website Vela said:

“Hibernian were persistent when I had offers from other teams and that played a big part in me coming here.

“Every player wants to feel wanted and I was really impressed with everything that I heard, then what I saw when I came for a look myself.

“The manager went into real detail about he wants from me – as a person and tactically – and I feel like I can help him achieve what he wants to do with the club.

“It’s exciting, to be honest. It’s a new challenge for me after spending so long at one club, in a new environment and I’m just looking forward to getting started with the rest of the boys.”

Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom added:

“I’m delighted to have been able to sign Josh.

“He will add energy and a competitive edge to our midfield.

“Josh is an all-round midfielder with the athleticism to support attacks and play on the front foot, helping us win the ball back.

“He was worth the wait and I’m glad we were patient in order to land him.”

Editor's View:

That is an excellent signing for the Hibees.

Vela was a huge fans favourite with Bolton Wanderers and played over 180 games, most of them in the English Championship, and scored 13 goals.

Hibs missed out on Funso Ojo last week to Aberdeen, this more than makes up for it, Vela was playing at a level above Ojo last season and should be an excellent signing.

Cardiff City and Leeds United both wanted to sign Vela last summer, but were scared off by a possible £5m transfer fee.

He has a wealth of experience and is a much needed capture in the centre of midfield, a position the Hibees have been light on numbers in.

We could probably do with another one in there and the rumours of a return for Stephane Omeonga still persist, the Belgian U21 midfielder was excellent on-loan with the Hibees last season, and is keen on a return to Edinburgh.

If we could get him in, and maybe add another striker, we would probably be done in the transfer market.

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