Hibernian sign former Hearts defender Faycal Rherras on loan
Saturday 20 January 2018 16:36, UK
Hibernian have signed former Hearts defender Faycal Rherras on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
The 24-year-old was born in Belgium but has represented Morocco, his parents' home country, and was included in their Africa Cup of Nations squad in 2017.
Rherras played 19 times for Hearts in the 2016/17 season but will now be trying to secure a regular starting berth with their Edinburgh rivals Hibs - the two sides face each other in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
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"I am very happy to be joining Hibs, it is a move that I hope will work well for myself and for the club," he told the club's official website.
"I have played in Scotland before with Hearts, so know what the game is like here and enjoyed it a lot, especially as I know the city of Edinburgh well from my previous time here.
"The atmosphere at Easter Road in last year's derby was something special - it left a big impression on me and hopefully I can experience similar in my time here.
"My goal is to try and play as much as possible. The squad here is good, but I would like to try my best to help the team during my time here and I can do that best by playing on the pitch."
Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon is delighted to have boosted his squad with the signing of a player familiar with the Scottish Premiership.
"Faycal is a very good player to be bringing into the squad, and brings with him a wealth of experience," said Lennon.
"He is only 24 and has a lot of good quality experience in the top flight in Belgium and Scotland, as well as at international level.
"His previous experience in Scotland will no doubt be a positive as he knows what to expect from the league.
"We were looking to get some cover in at full-back, and Faycal comes in to provide strong competition which can only be good for the squad."
Rherras was once named in the SPFL team of the week as goalkeeper after he made three goal-line clearances in the 3-0 win over Motherwell in November 2016.
Watch Hearts v Hibernian in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event at 2pm.
