Hibernian have sent Jacob MacIntyre on loan to Kelty Hearts until January 1st, 2025, with the 18-year-old becoming the 14th player to leave the Scottish Premiership side on a temporary basis this season.

The midfielder, who has been capped by Scotland at under-16, under-17, and under-19 level, made his debut for Hibs last season, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 home win against Livingston and making the matchday squad as an unused replacement on six other occasions in all competitions. He signed a new three-year deal with Hibs earlier this month.

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MacIntyre was a regular starter in the Hibs academy side that won the CAS Elite Under-18 League in 2022 and went on to compete in the UEFA Youth League the following season. Able to play anywhere in midfield, he was often used as a right-wingback and was playing regularly when still aged just 15. 

A couple of injuries in quick succession slowed his progression but he has trained regularly with the first-team squad under David Gray this season suggesting he is highly regarded by the head coach, who handed a debut to MacIntyre's fellow academy graduate Rudi Molotnikov during a previous interim spell in charge. 

In Kelty Hearts, MacIntyre joins a team sitting fourth in League One, two points off the top and will be team-mates with former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan, albeit the playmaker - who serves in a player-coach role at New Central Park - is currently nursing a broken wrist.

MacIntyre's older brother Oscar is currently on loan at Queen of the South, who host Kelty this coming Saturday at Palmerston Park, and the siblings could face each other in the SPFL fixture.  

Sporting director Malky Mackay said: "This is Jacob’s first loan move away from Hibs and will provide him with a number of new experiences, which will aid his development.

“As a young player he will now face of the physical demands of men’s football week in, week out, and grow personally being introduced into a new environment and dressing room.

“I’d like to thank Kelty Hearts for the smooth loan process, and we will be closely monitoring Jacob’s progression over the next three months."

Meanwhile, Hibs midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu, has earned his first senior call-up to the Korea Republic squad. The on-loan Celtic man has been capped by his country at under-17, under-20, and under-23 level but could win his first full cap when Korea take on Jordan and Iraq in two World Cup qualifiers during the upcoming international break.