John Hughes lands Michael Hart as Hibs make third new signing

Hart, the former Aberdeen full-back, has joined on a two-year deal from Preston North End after his contract with the Lancashire club was cancelled by mutual consent.

The 30-year-old left Pittodrie for Preston in January 2008, but failed to become a first-team regular during an injury-hit two-and-a-half year spell in England. He made only 25 appearances during that time, and in May was put on the transfer list by Preston manager Darren Ferguson.

"I'm really pleased to sign for Hibernian," Hart told Hibs' official website. "It is a club that keeps progressing and I'm delighted to become a part of that.

"My aim is to play regular first-team football and I've played the majority of my career at right-back, so hopefully I can help the team out in that position. John Hughes is a manager I've admired for a long time with his enthusiasm for the game and his ambitious nature. But he didn't need to sell Hibernian to me, because the prospect of playing Europa League football in a new-look stadium is really exciting."

Hughes expressed his delight at signing a player whom he hopes will be the solution in one of the positions which was most troublesome last season. "Make no mistake, Michael is a quality player with lots of experience and he is a top-class right-back.

"Michael is a player that has been on our radar for a long time and, for different reasons, we were previously unable to bring him to the club. But, as I keep saying to the supporters, sometimes you need to be a little patient and that approach has certainly paid off this time around. He is an ambitious player, who has already proven his credentials in the SPL and he is also a leader who will help the development of some of our younger players."

Kevin McCann looked like being the long-term owner of the right-back's jersey when he made his breakthrough into the first team, but he continued to suffer from injury problems last season. It was only towards the end of the campaign that he came back into regular contention.

David Wotherspoon, more naturally a right-sided midfielder, slotted into the position regularly, but at times he was asked to do too much. That may have been a compliment to his talents, and when Hibs were firing on all cylinders Wotherspoon's attacking tendencies were invaluable, but in adversity it became clear that his talents might be better employed elsewhere.

Darren McCormack, now with Ross County, was the other regular contender for a place at right-back last season. A robust defender who could also play at centre-half, McCormack fell out of favour due to disciplinary problems and was released at the end of last season.

Hughes has already been pleased by the speed with which De Graaf and Stephens have been integrated into the squad, with De Graaf scoring the only goal of the game in the practice match against Morton. "Edwin got his goal and has been working very hard," the manager said. "I've been delighted with his attitude and the way he goes about his business. He has settled in really well - the boys have all taken to him.

"Big David came in against Dundee (in Wednesday's practice match] and has got a massive future in front of him. His performance was very impressive and was certainly good enough for his first game for Hibs. I've been delighted with all the boys, but those two are really settling in and are two really good additions to the squad."

Hibs' next match is tomorrow against Dunfermline.

Elsewhere, Hearts are farming out two promising young defenders on six-month loan deals.

Dylan McGowan, 18, is to join First Division Cowdenbeath and defender Michael Deland, 18, is headed for Second Division East Fife. Tynecastle manager Jim Jefferies is eager for a number of his younger players to achieve first-team experience this season following the scrapping of the reserve league.

Hamilton have announced the departure of Trent McClenahan after the full-back failed to agree a new contract. Accies signed right-back Jack Ross from St Mirren on Monday as former West Ham and Hereford player McClenahan continued to weigh up his future. The Australian defender, 25, made more than 50 appearances for the club.