Hibs followers could also be whipping themselves into a light frenzy over the arrival of wing wizard Aiden McGeady.
However in line with former Belgium star Steven Defour it’s fellow Easter Highway new boy Elie Youan who's simply as more likely to go away the Leith devoted spellbound along with his magic ft. Youan has joined up with Lee Johnson ’s squad at their Portuguese coaching camp having signed a season-long mortgage deal from St Gallen with an choice to purchase.
Little is thought of the Frenchman among the many Hibs assist. However along with fellow new boys McGeady, Momodou Bojang and Jair Tavares, the 23-year-old might be anticipated to supply the products within the closing third. Defour has backed him to do exactly that and loosen up Leith as a part of Johnson’s new-look frontline along with his blistering tempo and technical high quality.
Whisper it however he may simply even fill the explosive void created by Martin Boyle ’s departure in January.
Former Burnley, Porto and Anderlecht star Defour is the present assistant supervisor at Mechelen the place Youan spent the second half of final season.
And talking to Report Sport the 52-times capped Belgium ace mentioned: “I feel Elie is usually a success in Scotland. He could make an actual distinction along with his technical means.
“The one-on-one duels might be powerful however he's robust sufficient to compete.
“He has the qualities to do effectively.
“Elie is an excellent participant. I might say he is sort of a nine-and-a-half .. I imply he's finest simply behind a striker however not fairly so deep as a result of he likes to return into the ball.
“He's very fast and excellent at operating with the ball at his ft.
“I've little doubt he'll excite the followers.
“His tempo is a large asset. However he’s robust too and never simple to push off the ball.
“He's not dangerous in entrance of aim however his massive high quality is that means to dribble and produce a little bit of magic.”
Youan made the change to Mechelen on mortgage from St Gallen on the ultimate day of the January switch window.
It adopted a six-goal burst within the first half of the season along with his guardian membership within the Swiss Tremendous League.
Nonetheless with the type of the Mechelen entrance line - together with 16 aim Nikola Storm and Hugo Kuypers who netted 13 instances - recreation time for Youan was at a premium in Belgium.
The Antwerp aspect climbed to seventh place on a run wherein they misplaced simply twice of their final 11 video games and Youan needed to make do with 4 appearances off the bench.
Defour, beneath, insists that’s not a good reflection on the participant although.
And he reckons a contemporary begin in Leith may simply be the proper launchpad for the participant to succeed in one other degree.
Defour mentioned: “Elie was unlucky that we had an excellent ahead line final 12 months.
“He arrived at a workforce that was performing effectively and it was at all times going to be tough to interrupt into the beginning XI.
“However he performed his half and was glorious in coaching daily. His means just isn't in query.
“He labored onerous and at all times needed to remain again and work individually with coaches to verify he was getting probably the most from coaching.
“We recognized Elie half means by means of the season and knew he might present vital competitors to the boys.
“What we noticed of his movies and the evaluation of his time at St Gallen was spectacular sufficient for us to do a mortgage deal.
“It’s a disgrace he by no means bought extra recreation time however we got here to a mutual settlement that it will be finest if he checked out one other alternative elsewhere.
“It was just because the competitors for locations in our ahead line was too powerful.
“However Elie might be a well-liked man within the dressing room at Hibs. He speaks French however understands English effectively.
“He might be excited in regards to the new alternative and I hope he's a hit and helps push the membership to try to qualify for Europe.”
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