Derek Riordan returned to Hibernian tonight as his unhappy spell at Celtic finally came to an end.
The 25-year-old forward left Easter Road for Parkhead two years ago but the move did not work out.
The one-time Scotland international is now back at the club where he made his name after signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Hibs won the race with Edinburgh rivals Hearts for Riordan's signature after both clubs expressed an interest in the player.
Riordan spent six years at Hibs, making his professional debut in 2001 and going on to finish as the club's top scorer for three straight seasons until 2005.
His exploits that year earned him the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award and his first and only Scotland cap.
He refused to extend a contract that was set to expire in October 2006, also snubbing moves to foreign clubs.
Hibs were eventually forced to sell him to Celtic for a cut-price £170,000 in June 2006 after he signed a pre-contract agreement with the Glasgow giants.
But Riordan failed to earn a regular first-team place and publicly vented his frustration earlier this year.
Riordan, who made 32 appearances for Celtic, scoring eight goals, said on the Hoops' website, celticfc.net: "I would like to thank Celtic and the supporters for the opportunity to have played for the club, but I am looking forward to this move and to the future with Hibs."
Riordan joins Dunfermline defender Souleymane Bamba in joining Hibs on transfer deadline day.
The Ivory Coast international, 23, has also signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The centre-half has spent the last two years at Dunfermline, making more than 50 appearances, and recently returned from representing his country at the Olympics in Beijing.
Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen told www.hibernianfc.co.uk: "I am delighted to be adding Sol to the squad.
"He is a player with tremendous pace and physical presence that will most definitely help bolster our defence.
"Sol has been a target for a number of clubs during this transfer window and I'm delighted that given the options open to him he has chosen to join Hibernian."
Hibs have also terminated the contracts of midfielder Brian Kerr, defender Martin Canning and goalkeeper Zbigniew Malkowski.
All three men had a year to run on their deals.
Canning today joined Hibs' Clydesdale Bank Premier League rivals Hamilton.
The one-time Scotland international is now back at the club where he made his name after signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Hibs won the race with Edinburgh rivals Hearts for Riordan's signature after both clubs expressed an interest in the player.
Riordan spent six years at Hibs, making his professional debut in 2001 and going on to finish as the club's top scorer for three straight seasons until 2005.
His exploits that year earned him the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award and his first and only Scotland cap.
He refused to extend a contract that was set to expire in October 2006, also snubbing moves to foreign clubs.
Hibs were eventually forced to sell him to Celtic for a cut-price £170,000 in June 2006 after he signed a pre-contract agreement with the Glasgow giants.
But Riordan failed to earn a regular first-team place and publicly vented his frustration earlier this year.
Riordan, who made 32 appearances for Celtic, scoring eight goals, said on the Hoops' website, celticfc.net: "I would like to thank Celtic and the supporters for the opportunity to have played for the club, but I am looking forward to this move and to the future with Hibs."
Riordan joins Dunfermline defender Souleymane Bamba in joining Hibs on transfer deadline day.
The Ivory Coast international, 23, has also signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The centre-half has spent the last two years at Dunfermline, making more than 50 appearances, and recently returned from representing his country at the Olympics in Beijing.
Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen told www.hibernianfc.co.uk: "I am delighted to be adding Sol to the squad.
"He is a player with tremendous pace and physical presence that will most definitely help bolster our defence.
"Sol has been a target for a number of clubs during this transfer window and I'm delighted that given the options open to him he has chosen to join Hibernian."
Hibs have also terminated the contracts of midfielder Brian Kerr, defender Martin Canning and goalkeeper Zbigniew Malkowski.
All three men had a year to run on their deals.
Canning today joined Hibs' Clydesdale Bank Premier League rivals Hamilton.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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