Hibernian have signed former Aberdeen full-back Michael Hart from Preston.
Hart has penned a two-year deal at Easter Road after his Preston contract was cancelled by mutual consent. The 30-year-old left Pittodrie for the Coca-Cola Championship club in January 2008 but made only 25 appearances during an injury-hit spell and was placed on the transfer list by Preston boss Darren Ferguson in May.
"I'm really pleased to sign for Hibernian - it is a club that keeps progressing and I'm delighted to become a part of that," Hart told the club's official website.
"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."
Hibs boss Hughes said: "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 now and, for different reasons, we were previously unable to bring him to the football 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."
Source: PA
