Jordon Forster is latest Hibs kid to sign new deal

Hibernian youngster Jordon Forster says he has completed an “unbelievable” couple of months by penning a new deal with the Easter Road club.

The 19-year-old defender yesterday joined fellow youth players David Gold, Paul Grant, Dean Horribine and Euan Smith in agreeing new one-year contracts.

Centre-back Forster made his first-team debut in the Edinburgh derby win at Hearts last month and deputised for injured skipper James McPake in the 3-0 Scottish Cup final defeat by Celtic. He said: “The past couple of months has been absolutely unbelievable and I can’t wait to kick on and progress even further next season.

“It just goes to show that if you work hard then you do get your rewards – I went from being a long way from a first-team start to playing in an Edinburgh derby and a Scottish Cup final.”

Midfielder Gold, 20, has captained the under-20 team for the past two seasons, while Horribine, 20, made his first-team debut in the penultimate Scottish Premier League game as a substitute at Kilmarnock.

Horribine said: “I’m delighted to be at Hibs for another year. Hopefully I can kick on and become a first-team player next season.”

Goalkeeper Grant, also 20, made his first start at top-team level away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle 12 months ago and attacking midfielder Smith, 19, spent the second half of the season out on loan at Arbroath, scoring twice in 14 appearances.

The youngsters are all from Edinburgh and manager Pat Fenlon said: “I’m a firm believer that home-grown players absorb a club’s culture and represent its future. Alex Harris, Jordon, Danny Handling and Ross Caldwell all made contributions to the first team during the final few months of last season. Their progress will inspire other young players to try to do something similar.”