Having attended the recent 1-1 Edinburgh derby draw with Hearts last month, ex-Barnsley defender Adam Jackson was clearly interested in what Hibs had to say as they try and they have persuaded him to sign on this summer subject to international clearance.
The 25-year-old was out of contract at the Tykes. Boss Daniel Stendel was keen to hang on to the player following their promotion to the Championship from League One.
Paul Heckingbottom proved too hard to turn down, however. It was the current Hibs boss who brought Jackson to Oakwell on a three-year-deal from Middlesbrough in 2016.
Heckingbottom’s former club finished the season on 91 points – enough for promotion but not to go up as champions. That honour went to Luton Town who ended the season four points ahead of their nearest challengers.
Jackson however, spent most of the season on the bench, making just six appearances, ten in total across all competitions.
The former England Under19 international was born in Darlington and began his professional career with Middlesbrough in 2011.
Boro farmed him out on loan to Halifax Town, Coventry City and Hartlepool Utd but he left for Barnsley in 2016 without making a top team appearance at te Riverside.
He featured more regularly for them during the 17/18 season, playing 22 times in the Championship as Barnsley were relegated. Most of those came under Heckingbottom before he departed for Leeds Utd.
A centre back, it’s likely Jackson will provide cover for Paul Hanlon , Darren McGregor and Ryan Porteous when he returns from injury.
Heckingbottom has spoken about needing cover for the centre of his defence. Jonathan Spector filled that role on a short-term basis while Darnell Johnson has returned to Leicester City after his loan ended, having barely featured in green and white.
Jackson is a player Heckingbottom knows and trusts. While promotion with Barnsley offered the prospect of playing in the Championship once again, the lack of game time this season prompted Jackson to move on, in order to link up with Heckingbottom once more.
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