Johnson delighted to be reunited with McGeady

HIBERNIAN manager Lee Johnson is delighted to be reunited with Aiden McGeady after the winger signed a one-year deal at Easter Road. Johnson worked alongside the former Celtic, Everton and Republic of Ireland playmaker at Sunderland and is thrilled his protracted pursuit of the 36-year-old finally paid off.

McGeady joins as a free agent after leaving the Black Cats and returns to Scottish football for the first time since moving on from the Parkhead club – where he had developed through the academy before being handed his first-team debut by Martin O’Neill in 2004 – to Spartak Moscow in 2010 for a then-record £12 million fee.

The Glasgow-born player has also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End and Charlton on loan.

Johnson said: “We are delighted to bring Aiden to Hibernian FC. He will bring skill, experience and gravitas to our team. Aiden is a top player, has had a fantastic career to date and we aim to extend and accentuate his abilities within the blend of our newlook squad.

“We will also look to utilise Aiden’s fantastic leadership qualities to help guide and get the best out of our young forward players.”

McGeady only managed 16 appearances for Sunderland last season, his last coming in November after being struck by a knee ligament injury.

He is Johnson’s seventh summer signing with David Marshall, Nohan Kenneh, Rocky Bushiri, Lewis Miller, Momodou Bojang and Jair Tavares all having put pen to paper.

Hibs head of recruitment Ian

Gordon said: “Aiden will bring an excellent blend of experience and topclass quality to our side.

“He has played at the very top level during his career and will help raise our standards.”

McGeady played over 200 games for Celtic and won the top-flight title four times.

The 93-times capped Ireland international, who retired from international football in 2017, also won a clutch of young player of the year awards as well as the PFA player of the year award in the 2007/08 season during his time in Scotland.