Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Hibernian managed to beat the transfer deadline by just ten minutes to secure the loan signing of Dan Barlaser from Middlesbrough.
The midfielder, who spent two-and-a-half years at the Riverside, completed a late deadline-day switch to the Scottish Premiership side. The move came as Barlaser slipped down the pecking order at Boro while in the final year of his contract, with the final 48 hours of the window described as a 'whirlwind'.
Given his contract status and lack of game-time opportunities, Boro were keen to move the 28-year-old on this summer. There was interest from Derby County and Millwall on transfer deadline day, but neither materialised sufficiently before the 7 pm deadline in England.
Fortunately for Boro, and also Barlaser - who was keen to go and play regular football this term - the window remained open for an extra four hours in Scotland. It meant rather than potentially looking even further afield, the Tynesider was able to make a relatively short move to Edinburgh.
"I'm delighted to be here," he told the Hibs club website. "It was a whirlwind over 48 hours or so, but I'm happy I'm here. I was playing golf and my agent texted me saying that Hibs were interested, and I just gave them the go-ahead to proceed. Thankfully, we got the deal done 10 minutes before the deadline, so it was quite stressful!
"But I am delighted to be here! This will be my first taste of Scottish Football, and I really wanted to do it here at Hibs - that was a big pull for me. I saw how well the Club did last season, achieving European football and I have seen videos of the fans, so I just thought it was a great club to come to."
Barlaser leaves Boro having made 79 appearances for the club. Out of contract at the end of the season, he's almost certainly played his final game for the club. He was a popular and well-respected member of the dressing room on Teesside, but had struggled to cement a regular place in the team since his switch from Rotherham United in January 2023.
Interestingly, when asked what Hibs fans can expect of him, he suggested he feels he wasn't playing to his strengths at Boro. How that translates at Easter Road will remain to be seen, with the Scottish club's need, and communication concerning Barlaser, suggested they needed and see him as a defensive-minded midfielder too.
"I am a forward-thinking player who likes to take risks", Barlaser insisted. "When I was at Middlesbrough, I was a bit more defensive, but I think I have thrived in the past when playing further up the pitch. So, I think my technical abilities and passing the ball forward are my best strengths."