Hibs swoop for Dunfermline defender Sol Bamba

Published on Monday 1 September 2008 09:58

Hibernian today swooped to snap up Souleymane "Sol" Bamba on a three year contract, paying Dunfermline £75,000 for the Ivory Coast international.

The 23-year-old, a 6ft 3in central defender had been poised to join English League One outfit Watford but the deal fell through.

Bamba joined the Pars from French club Paris St Germain two years ago, making more than 50 first team appearances for the East End Park club.

He's recently returned from the Olympics where he played in two matches for the Ivory Coast, including a Quarter Final appearance against beaten finalists Nigeria.

It's understood Dunfermline had also agreed a fee with SPL rivals Motherwell for Bamba but the player opted for the move to Edinburgh.

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen said: "I am delighted to be adding Sol to the squad. He is a player with tremendous pace and physical presence that will most definitely help bolster our defence.

"Sol has been a target for a number of clubs during this transfer window and I'm delighted that given the options open to him he has chosen to join Hibernian."