Hibernian have won the race to sign Dutch midfielder Edwin de Graaf after he agreed a two-year deal with the Edinburgh club.
The 30-year-old claims he had several other offers to consider but opted for the switch to Easter Road. De Graaf has played in Holland's Eredivisie for the last decade and spent the last four seasons at NAC Breda.
But he is now relishing a new challenge in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and said: "I am delighted to be joining a club with such a great set-up and fantastic history."
He added: "I had a lot of options available to me this summer but having seen the training centre, the stadium and, having spoken to the manager, I was really excited about the prospect of coming to play in Edinburgh with Hibernian.
"I'm keen to get settled in Edinburgh and to start training with the boys in July.
"I know how the manager wants our team to play football and it is great to have Europa League football to look forward to at the start of the season."
De Graaf is a graduate of the Feyenoord youth academy, although his time at the Rotterdam club at senior level was largely spent out on loan at former club Roosendaal and ADO Den Haag. He boasts European experience with Breda over the last couple of seasons, scoring five goals which makes him the club's all time top scorer in European competition.
Hibs boss John Hughes told www.hibernian.co.uk: "Edwin is a real gem of a signing, and brings a wealth of footballing experience at the highest level, having played regularly in the Eredivisie and in the UEFA Cup over the past couple of seasons.
"He is a powerful box-to-box player, who loves getting forward. His physical presence and leadership qualities will be great assets for the team as we look forward to our European campaign and the start of the SPL season.
"I can't wait to get him involved at the training centre and in our pre-season games."
Source: PA
