ST JOHNSTONE last night confirmed that midfielder Liam Craig will be plying his trade with Hibs next season.
Speculation had been rife that the Edinburgh club had been courting the Saints star, who has made over 200 appearances for the Perth club since signing from Falkirk initially on loan in 2007, and both sides have now revealed that a deal has been struck.
The 26-year-old central midfielder has signed a pre-contract agreement at Easter Road and will move there in the summer once his deal at McDiarmid Park expires.
Saints last night confirmed Hibs followed SPL rules governing their approach to Craig, and had been made aware of the pre-contract agreement.
Saints boss Steve Lomas has been a huge admirer of what Craig has achieved at McDiarmid Park and confirmed he would not stand in the player’s way if he deems his future to lie away from Perth.
“Liam has been a great servant to this club,” Lomas concluded.
“He gives nothing but 100% every week.
“But if he decides to leave we shake his hand and wish him all the best.”
Craig began his career at Ipswich Town and joined Falkirk in January 2006, but signed a permanent deal with St Johnstone in July 2008 after a successful loan spell.
Since then he has been a fans’ favourite at Saints and has scored four goals for the Perth club this season, although he has decided a summer switch to Hibs will be the best option to progress his career.