Hibs swoop for St Mirren star David Van Zanten

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen today revealed he's made the first move to strengthen his squad for next season by snapping up St Mirren star David Van Zanten on a three-year deal.

Van Zanten, 26 tomorrow, is out of contract at Love Street at the end of the season but has agreed to join Hibs. The Irishman, however, has already played his last game for the Buddies as he recovers from keyhole surgery on a torn knee cartilage.

Paatelainen knows Van Zanten, who was once on Celtic's books, well having been a player/coach in Paisley and believes Hibs will see the best years of the defender's career.

He said: "I know exactly the type of player we are getting. David has done well at St Mirren, he was club captain over the last year or so which tells you a lot. I know him from my time at Love Street and it is important for me to have players in the dressing room who are positive, hard-working, honest guys.

"I hope the Hibs fans will enjoy his talents. He is a good age and I feel his best playing days are ahead of him. He is already a relatively experienced player but there is still room to develop.

"David is a very honest worker, he is sharp, he is a good defender, he can pass the ball well and although he is not massively big he has a good spring. He can play in various positions, I've seen him play at full-back, centre-half and in midfield.

"He has good energy levels, he's quick and he can cross the ball. I am looking to improve the quality of the squad and I feel David will be a good addition."

And while he admitted it was a wrench to leave St Mirren – Saints having rescued him from the soccer scrapheap after boss Gus MacPherson spotted him playing in a trial match for out-of-contract players following his release from Celtic – Van Zanten revealed how he jumped at the chance to sign a pre-contract deal with Hibs.

He said: "I've had five great years at St Mirren with a lot of great memories – winning the First Division title and staying in the SPL.

"In that time I learned a lot from the gaffer, too. But Hibs sold itself. It's always a worrying time when you're out of contract but when Hibs came in for me it wasn't a difficult decision, to be honest.

"It's a step up going to a big club with a big stadium but once they were interested I wanted to go there straight away.

"It's an exciting challenge and I'm looking forward to playing my part. They'll obviously have targets for next year and now I'm hoping they land the European place."

Meanwhile, Chris Hogg's chances of facing Celtic on Sunday continue to improve with the defender having resumed training with his team-mates for the first time since damaging knee ligaments against St Mirren at the start of last month.

The East of Scotland Shield match between Hibs and Hearts, held over from last season, will take place at Easter Road tonight with both clubs expected to field youthful reserve teams. Admission is £4 adults, £2 concessions.