Hibernian defender Jack Iredale has detailed the hectic nature of his move to Easter Road, revealing that he was still at home in England with four and a half hours left until the summer transfer window slammed shut.

The 28-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Scottish Premiership side, sealing a return to his country of birth after a five-year spell in England with Carlisle United, Cambridge United, and Bolton Wanderers with Hibs head coach David Gray praising his flexibility in being comfortable at left-back or centre-back.

Iredale, who had stints in the Scottish league with Morton and Queen's Park after moving back to Scotland following a childhood in New Zealand and Australia, also gave an update on his fitness levels. 

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"Deadline day was a bit hectic to be fair - there was a bit of interest in the week leading up to deadline day and then it sort of faded off and I thought, ‘Okay, it’s not going to happen’," Iredale told HibsTV.

"And then on deadline day, I was at home on the couch at half six and my agent rang me and said, ‘How much diesel do you have in the car? You need to get to Edinburgh NOW.” So I jumped in the car and got straight up here as quickly as possible.

"I was a bit nervous on day one; there weren’t too many familiar faces, although I knew one or two of the boys - I knew of the Aussie lads and a couple of boys I’ve played with in the past - but as soon as I met everyone they made me feel very comfortable and I very much feel part of the group now.  I just can’t wait to pull on the shirt and play my first game," he added. 

Iredale and Harry McKirdy shared a dressing room at Brunton Park when both were playing for Carlisle while he came up against Kieron Bowie, Nicky Cadden, Marvin Ekpiteta, Junior Hoilett, Warren O'Hora, and Jordan Smith in England - as well as Dwight Gayle, who signed for Hibs as a free agent after the window had closed. 

But testing himself in the UK was always something Iredale had in mind and after short stints with Perth Glory's Under-23 side and ECU Joondalup (now Perth RedStar FC) in Australia's National Premier Leagues, a step below the A-League, he was afforded that chance.  

“I’ve been all over the place so travelling was easy. We moved to New Zealand when I was one, Australia when I was ten, and I came back over to Scotland when I was 21. Growing up as an Aussie footballer, you always have aspirations of playing football in Europe or the UK, and it was always something I knew I wanted to do at some stage," he revealed. 

“When I got that opportunity at 21 it was a case of quitting my job, getting a one-way ticket, getting on the flight, getting over here and trying to make something of it. Seven or eight years later I’m still here so I’ve enjoyed my time."

Explaining why he had been so keen to join Hibs, Iredale explained that the club 'just worked on so many levels' for him. 

“The size of the club speaks for itself. I was born in Scotland, I’ve played here in the past, I know about the clubs here. You see the standard of the facilities, the players, the history of the club, what the fans are like, the stadium - it was just a no-brainer. The club just worked on so many levels for me at this point in my career and I’m just really grateful to have this opportunity," he said. 

He hasn't yet made Gray's matchday squad but was due to join the group for full training this week as he gets up to speed, with the potential for taking part in bounce games given Hibs have a free weekend owing to the Premier Sports Cup fixtures taking place this week. 

“I’m really close [to match-fitness]. I’m aiming to be back in with the boys this week and go from there, have a really good run-in and hopefully be available for the Rangers game and if I’m called upon, I’ll be ready to go," he added. 

“I’m a left-sided defender. I like to get on the ball, I’m comfortable on the ball and I like to play passes. As a defender, you have to defend first so I’ll give everything for the badge and be nice and aggressive when I need to be, and hopefully bring a bit of experience as well. I realise I’m getting to that stage in my career where I’ve played plenty of games so I think I can bring that side of it to things as well."