Hibernian goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott has completed a permanent move to Crawley Town in League One, with Easter Road chiefs moving quickly to secure the services of Jordan Smith on a two-year deal as his replacement.
The Ghanaian internationalist signed a three-year deal last summer, reuniting with Lee Johnson, but leaves having made just eight appearances for Hibs in all competitions and failed to dislodge David Marshall and convince the club's hierarchy that he should get the gloves.
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Wollacott has returned south after spending the bulk of his senior career in the English pyramid, and has been replaced by former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith.
Malky Mackay said of Wollacott's departure: "First of all, I would like to thank Jojo for his efforts during his time with us.
"Unfortunately, we couldn’t guarantee him as much game time as he would like, and we agreed it was best for him to continue his career down south, in a league that he knows well. Everyone at the club wishes Jojo the best of luck for the future."
Smith in the frame
Smith, who can count Nottingham Forest, Ilkeston, Nuneaton Town, Barnsley, Mansfield Town, Huddersfield Town, and Stockport County among his former clubs, was a free agent after leaving Edgeley Park. He joins to provide competition for Joe Bursik, who has started the season as David Gray's No.1, and Max Boruc.
Wollacott was tipped for a summer exit and was linked with a return to England last month after the arrival of Bursik. The former Swindon Town and Charlton Athletic goalie played the final four games of the Scottish Premiership season, keeping one clean sheet in a 3-0 victory over Motherwell at Easter Road.
The 27-year-old joins Jacob Blaney, Paul Hanlon, Ewan Henderson, Adam Le Fondre, Dan MacKay, Lewis Stevenson, and Dylan Tait in leaving the club permanently this summer while David Marshall retired to take up the role of technical performance manager with Hibs. Loanees Will Fish, Myziane Maolida, Emiliano Marcondes, Eliezer Mayenda, and Nectar Triantis all returned to their parent clubs.
What has Wollacott said?
Speaking to Crawley Town's website Wollacott said: "I am delighted to get the deal over the line. It was a quick turnaround, so I am very happy it was done quickly.
"Unfortunately, last season did not work out for me, so I was looking for a solution. I know Scott [Lindsey, Crawley Town manager] well from my time at Swindon, and I really enjoyed working with him, so this seemed like a great fit.
"He gave a lot of information on how he wants the team to play, but also on how he wants me to play, so hopefully we can continue to work well together. I also know Steve Hale [goalkeeping coach] so he was involved in the conversations that I had with the club and now I just can't wait to get going."
Further comings and goings at Hibs?
A number of academy players are likely to leave Hibs on loan deals in the near future as Mackay and Gray continue trimming down a bloated squad, and there could be permanent departures as well for players unlikely to get many minutes under Gray.
Club chiefs are conscious of the need to bring in attacking reinforcements regardless of Élie Youan's situation, with the former St. Gallen attacker having admirers in France and Italy. Fulham's Scotland Under-21 forward Kieron Bowie is one player on the radar with the player understood to favour a return to his homeland for personal reasons.
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