Midfielder Isaiah Osbourne becomes Hibs' fifth signing of the summer

Midfielder Isaiah Osbourne has joined his brother in the SPL after agreeing a two-year deal to become Hibs' fifth summer recruit.

The 23-year-old moves to Easter Road under freedom of contract, pending international clearance, after being released by Aston Villa and is set to go head-to-head with sibling Isaac next month when his new club host Aberdeen. Attacking playmaker Osbourne will also boost manager Colin Calderwood's options up front where Garry O'Connor is currently the only fit recognised striker due to injuries to fellow marksmen Akpo Sodje and Junior Agogo.

Osbourne, who has had loan spells at Nottingham Forest (after Calderwood's reign), Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday, said: "Everything about the move to Hibernian felt right. I'm joining an ambitious club with everything in place for the team to succeed. There were other options that I looked at back down in England, but I wanted a fresh challenge and Hibernian met all my requirements.

"The manager, Colin Calderwood, knows what I'm about and I believe he will be able to get the best out of me. I'm looking forward to the move.

"Over the past few seasons, I've been out on loan a few times and I've never really enjoyed a settled run in the team. Now I want to enjoy my football again, play regularly and do all I can to make Hibernian successful."

Osbourne watched Hibs in action from the director's box in their goal-less draw with Sunderland before returning to England.

Calderwood will now keep a close eye on the playmaker in training before deciding if he should hand him his debut in Sunday's trip to Kilmarnock.

The Hibs manager, who was keen on Osbourne in his time at Forest, said: "Isaiah is a quality midfielder and he brings lots of attributes to the squad."