Hibs: Pat Fenlon brings in four new faces, while Hart and Sodje leave club

PAT Fenlon’s re-shaping of Hibernian continued yesterday after the Easter Road club confirmed the signings of former Rangers target Jorge Claros, Gambian left-back Pa Saikou Kujabi and Wolves defender Matt Doherty.

The Coventry City striker Roy O’Donovan has also arrived on loan from the Championship club until the end of the season, making it seven new signings since Fenlon took over late last year. O’Donovan spent a spell at loan with Dundee United in 2008, scoring one goal in 11 appearances. He has scored once in 13 appearances for Coventry this season. Heading out of the club are full-back Michael Hart and striker Akpo Sodje. Both have been released from their contracts and leave Easter Road with immediate effect.

As was the case last year, Hibs have made extensive changes to the squad in January in the hope of arresting a run of wretched form. Colin Calderwood, the then manager, made six new signings – including Sodje – this time last year but they failed to inspire a sustained up-turn in fortunes. Calderwood was sacked in November, just a year after his appointment.

Fenlon is clearly hoping that such wholesale changes have a positive effect this time around. Hibs currently lie in 11th place in the Scottish Premier League, just a point above bottom side Dunfermline. The Easter Road side have a home clash with Kilmarnock in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, and all the new signings should be available including Claros, who has secured a work permit having been capped 29 times by Honduras.

The 26-year-old has joined on a 12-month loan from Honduran top flight club Motagua while the 25-year old Kujabi has signed an 18-month contract following spells at Austrian clubs Grazer AK and SV Ried and FSV Frankfurt in Germany. He is a free-kick specialist and has been nicknamed the “Gambian Roberto Carlos”. Claros spent two weeks at Murray Park but was not offered a contract. Fenlon, however, moved swiftly after watching the midfielder perform in a bounce game at East Mains earlier this week. The capture of Claros can be considered a coup for the Easter Road club.

At the weekend Rangers manager Ally McCoist revealed that the Ibrox club were unable to offer the player a deal, news which prompted Hibs to act. Defence has been Fenlon’s main concern. He has already signed centre-half James McPake on loan from Coventry for the rest of the season. Norwich City defender George Francomb has also joined until June. Having spent most of the year in Scotland, Claros claims to have taken a shine to Scottish football already. “I am happy to be here at Hibernian,” he said last night. “I have been treated very well since I arrived in Edinburgh. Now I hope to give the right results on the pitch for the team. I have now been in Scotland for two weeks and feel I have learned a lot about Scottish football. The game is very fast over here and I am looking forward to playing in the SPL. The Scottish fans are very passionate about football.”

He also paid tribute to Celtic’s Honduran defender Emilio Izaguirre. “Everyone has made me feel welcome during my time here and I am also very thankful to my good friend Emilio Izaguirre, who has made me feel at home in Scotland as I do in Honduras,” Claros said.

Kujabi, meanwhile, has also previously had trials with Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham. “I’m really happy to sign for Hibs,” he told Hibs website. “I have to thank the manager for believing in me and making me a Hibs player. I can’t wait to start here and show the Hibs fans what I can give back to the club.”

Kujabi claims his style of play has led to comparisons with Roberto Carlos in his homeland “I play like Roberto Carlos – that is what everybody calls me back in Gambia,” he said. “At my previous clubs, they’ve likened me to Roberto Carlos as well. I like to go forward and support the attack from left-back. I love playing like that, it’s my type of football. I’ve scored from free-kicks before in Germany and Austria and I can’t wait to play for Hibs.”

Hibs also announced the signing of Doherty on loan until the end of the season. The 20-year-old – who can operate at right-back or centre-half – played for Fenlon at Bohemians before moving to Wolves in 2010, and made his Premier League debut against Liverpool this season. “I’m excited about playing for Hibs and working for Pat again,” he said. “My aim is to do as well as I can for Hibs then go back and challenge for a first team place at Wolves next season.”