Yantorno signs two-year Hibs deal

FABIAN YANTORNO will end his injury nightmare today by putting pen to paper on a two-year deal at Easter Road.

The former Gretna midfielder has been training with Hibs since March after being offered the use of the club's training facilities.

The now-defunct Raydale Park outfit released Yantorno from his contract because they couldn't afford to finance his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury – the Uruguayan had ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee following a collision with Falkirk goalkeeper Tim Krul back in January.

Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen stepped in to offer the 25-year-old training facilities at the club's state-of-the-art complex at East Mains – and the chance to earn a deal.

The player has been given the all-clear by club medics and has clearly proved his footballing ability as well as his fitness.

Paatelainen was delighted to have secured Yantorno's signature, adding to those of David van Zanten, Joe Keenan and Steven Thicot, and the Hibs boss said:

"He will come to Easter Road on a two-year deal and we are delighted that he is joining us.

"Injuries are part and parcel of football and, unfortunately for Fabian, he suffered a very serious one at the beginning of the year.

"But he has proved that he is match fit and the doctors and the club physios have agreed that there is no problem.

"He has featured in three of our pre-season games, although he hasn't yet played 90 minutes, but that will come.

"He is a wonderful player and is tremendous technically. He has great awareness and ability to pass and his link-up play is excellent.

"He's got a great work ethic and gives everything in training and in games and he will be a great asset to our squad."

While Yantorno has agreed to make his move permanent, Paatelainen has still to make a decision on fellow trialist Steven Pinau, who has a few days left at Easter Road to win a move.

Meanwhile, out-of-favour frontman Clayton Donaldson is reported to have turned down a move to Crewe Alexandra.

The striker has been told that he is free to find another club after failing to hold down a regular place in Paatelainen's starting line-up in the last campaign, however he failed to agree terms with Crewe after talks yesterday.

While the Finn refused to rule Donaldson out of the reckoning altogether though, he warned that Donaldson may find it even tougher this time around.

He added: "If I have a player available who is free to go, but who has been working hard in training and doing well and the situation arises where I have to use him them I will do so and it is up to the player to keep his place in the side. However I am looking to bring in more players so it will be even tougher."