Hibs sign ex Hearts striker James Keatings

Last updated : 01 June 2015 By Steve Forbes

Hibs have today announced the signing of freed Hearts striker James Keatings.

Keatings, 23, has crossed the Edinburgh devide and signed a two-year-deal at Easter Road.

The former Hamilton man only agreed his release from the Pink Bus Shelter on Friday, and Hibs have moved quickly to snap him up.

Speaking to Hibs TV, Keatings said:

"I'm delighted to sign for the club and I definitely believe Hibs can go up as champions next season.

"I saw the quality in the team whenever I played against them last season and Hibs probably deserved more than they achieved.

"But there's a new season coming up now and I'll be aiming to make it three promotions for me and I'm sure the club will be targeting that too.

 "I had other options to go elsewhere and to play in the Premiership.

"But one of the big factors that persuaded me to come here was the manager and I believe he can make me become a much better player.

"Hibs are a big club and the manager has ambitious plans for the future.

"Everything pointed towards this move being the right decision for me and my career."

Hibs boss Alan Stubbs added:

"James will bring goals to the team and we're delighted to add him to the squad.

"It's an area where I thought we did well last season, but it's also an area where we can improve.

"His goalscoring record speaks for itself - he's got a good habit of being in the right place at the right time.

"We want competition for places and we want to score lots of goals. We're delighted to sign James and the fact he wanted to come here.

"The fact we've got this deal done and Fraser's new contract is a positive sign about how we want to drive the club forward.

"I want to do all my business as early as possible and have the nucleus of the squad in place for the start of pre-season."

Keatings bolsters an already potent strikeforce that includes Jason Cummings, Dominique Malonga and Farid El Alagui.