Hibs to sign Owain Tudur Jones from Inverness

Hibs are closing in on Inverness midfielder Owain Tudur Jones, with the Welsh internationalist set to become the Easter Road club’s second signing ahead of the new season.

Pat Fenlon has already snapped up St Johnstone star Liam Craig on a pre-contract deal as the Hibs boss seeks to build on the progress made in the campaign just ended, the Capital club having claimed 19 more points than in the previous season, finishing seventh, reaching the Scottish Cup final for the second year in succession and, in doing so, earning a place in the Europa League.

At 6ft 3in, Tudur Jones would certainly add a height and presence in midfield, qualities which some feel Hibs have lacked.

The 28-year-old former Swansea and Norwich player has become a popular figure in Inverness since arriving in the summer of 2011. His first season was cut short by a knee injury but Tudur Jones bounced back last season, his performances such that he earned himself a recall to the Welsh squad.

Inverness boss Terry Butcher had hoped to persuade him to extend his stay in the Highlands but the Evening News understands Tudur Jones is poised to turn down that offer in 
favour of a move to Hibs. Fenlon, however, is faced with the likely loss of Honduran midfielder Jorge Claros, who has spent the past 18 months on loan in 
Edinburgh.

Claros left for home on Monday and, although he has made clear his desire to continue his career at Easter Road, he admitted in the aftermath of that 3-0 Hampden defeat by Celtic that he doesn’t know if he’ll be back in Scotland as he still has a year of his contract with Motagua to run. David Wotherspoon and Gary Deegan are out of contract and their futures uncertain, while Kevin Thomson’s short-term deal, which saw him return to play for nothing in the final few months of the season, has also come to an end

But having signed Scott Robertson from Blackpool during the January transfer window and with the arrival of Craig imminent, Fenlon is keen to further strengthen in midfield.