Dwight Gayle has provided his first interview as a Hibs player after signing for the Easter Road outfit on a one-year deal.
The 34-year-old was a free agent after being released by EFL side Derby County at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Gayle then struggled to find a new home and went on trial to Stockport County without any success in earning a contract.
He also recently took part in the Professional Footballers’ Association free agent initiative which sees a number of unattached players take part in games as a squad.
But as Not The Old Firm told you at the beginning of September, Gayle eventually was closing in on a move to the Hibees despite earlier discussions with a number of other EFL clubs.
And now the deal has been confirmed by Hibs, with Gayle then speaking to the club’s media team about his arrival and what he can bring to David Gray’s team as a player and a character.
Dwight Gayle speaks after Hibs deal confirmed
Gayle said: “It’s an amazing opportunity for me and really excited to be here. I arrived at the training ground and seen all the facilities and the people – I’m glad to be here.
“It started with my agent first of all and then I spoke to Malky (Mackay). The club were interested at the time and I was just buzzing to get it ahead really. It took a bit longer than expected but I’m grateful to be here.
“He (Malky) was looking for someone of my type of player that could improve the team and help out. Just how big a club it is was something that interested me, obviously a new experience for me playing in Scotland. It was ticking all the boxes and he didn’t have to say too much.
Having played together at Peterborough United, Gayle admits Hibs midfielder Joe Newell was instrumental in the striker making the move up north.
Gayle continued: “Yeah, he was probably the person I spoke to the most, we’d speak about it most days to be honest and I think he was helping push it (the deal) with the gaffer. He had a lot of good things to say and he was a big reason for it happening.
“It’s such a big level to be playing at and it interested me massively. As soon as I heard about it, my ears perked up. I knew a bit about Scottish football, I followed a lot of Joe’s career since he’s been here.
“I know how well supported it is with the rivalries and stuff so I’ve been looking through the fixtures and getting excited for a lot of the big games coming up.
“My wife’s from Scotland and her family are not too far so I’m sure they’ll be here supporting a lot more than normal, so should be fun.”
Gayle then had a message for the fans and explained what he will bring to the team this season.
He said: “Just an attitude to work hard and hopefully score some goals to help the team in that way. What they might not see is how I’m going to be around the dressing room and how I’m going to get everyone improving and working hard in a nice environment for us to do well as a team.”
David Gray on ‘different’ Gayle
Hibs manager David Gray had this to say after the deal was struck. He said: “It’s great to be able to bring Dwight to the club.
“He’s performed at a top-level throughout his career and has a real desire to show his abilities here in Scotland.
“He’s a different type of striker to what we currently have in the building. He’s a real penalty box type of striker, a great finisher, and his experience will be of great benefit to us. I look forward to working with him.”