Hibs' final piece of summer transfer business arrived a little later than anticipated, and few will have had Dwight Gayle on their bingo cards at the start of the window.

But in snapping up the highly-experienced free agent, David Gray added another option to an attack which now has plenty for him to choose from. A veteran of seven previous senior clubs, including Newcastle United in the Premier League, Gayle's move to Easter Road is his first outside England, and despite beginning the season without a home, he says he wasn't going to sign for 'just any club'. A few words from former Peterborough United team-mate Joe Newell helped convince him to jump north of the border, and the hope is that he will bring a well-rounded quality to Hibs' forward line.

Gray referred to Gayle as a 'penalty box striker' upon his arrival, and his career record certainly fits that bill. He's scored 149 goals at all levels, and quite prolifically in the EFL Championship - although 26 in the Premier League is respectable by most standards. And while he should offer Hibs a 'fox in the box' type quality, Gayle is capable of bringing much more to the team.  His finishing prowess is no secret, and he will put the ball in the net if given service. His most prolific season was Newcastle United's 2016/17 campaign in the EFL Championship, netting 23 times in 34 appearances (the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer to score over 20 in a campaign), and so many of those came from deliveries put between the width of the posts for Gayle to attack. He enjoyed another 20-plus season when loaned to West Brom in 2018/19, again in the Championship. But if that's the Dwight Gayle of six to seven years ago, Hibs fans will be more concerned with the Dwight Gayle of 2024, and what he can still offer.

There's a cleverness to his game that's typical of such experienced operators. Think Adam Le Fondre last season, or Junior Hoilett, both at Aberdeen and in the, admittedly, very brief minutes we've seen him in a Hibs shirt. In Gayle's last full season at Stoke City, manager Alex Neil took to, at times, playing him in a deeper attacking role where his intelligent link-up play could be fully utilised. It's an area of his game that's, perhaps, underrated, and he can be an effective option not only in finishing off moves, but helping Hibs build attacks. In his earlier days, his reputation was that of an on-the-shoulder forward seeking to beat defenders for pace, and while he's still no slouch at 34, players are inevitably forced to adapt their game in order to continue thriving. If his most recent stints are any indicator, Gayle has become an adept 'back-to-goal' forward. He's not the archetypal big target man, but has the awareness and deftness of touch to bring others into the game. Let's look at some examples.

Playing for Derby last season, note how as Gayle peels into space, he simultaneously glances at the position of his strike partner.

(Image: Wyscout) By dropping in, he drags a centre-back with him, and opens space in behind. That look towards his team-mate allows Gayle to decide his next move ahead of time, and when the pass from the right-back comes into his feet, he deftly turns it round the corner for his team-mate to chase.


(Image: Wyscout) In the next example, Gayle drops in to create an option for his centre-midfielder, but he is put under pressure immediately in a crowded area as the ball travels towards him.

(Image: Wyscout) Again, though, he has the vision and technique to spot the out-ball and execute it, changing his team's point of attack with a clever first-time pass.

(Image: Wyscout) In the next example, Gayle finds himself pinned against the touchline, but manages to sneak his way out with a pass through the legs of the man closing him down, continuing his run inside.

(Image: Wyscout) He takes the return pass from his team-mate and drives inside, space suddenly opening up with a single piece of intelligent play taking three opponents out of the game.

(Image: Wyscout) There are still several defenders covering, though, but Gayle manages to pick out an excellent pass back down the right flank to continue the attack.


Hibs have shown signs of improvement in the last few weeks, but Saturday's first-half against St Johnstone showed they aren't quite there yet in terms of building and sustaining attacks. As well as, of course, providing goals, Hibs should benefit from Gayle's know-how and calmness in possession, and his presence could help get more out of others, too.

Perfect impact player?

Gayle's brief but effective spell at Derby County last season may just mirror what Hibs want from him this season. With the Rams beset by a string of injuries to forward players in the second half of 23/24, they turned to Gayle as an emergency option. A calculated gamble, it yielded three goals in six appearances before he picked up an injury.

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Hibs need an impact striker. There were plenty who would have liked it to be Le Fondre for another year, and in referencing the 37-year-old earlier this summer it suggests Gray was always keen to add a similar profile to his squad. He says there was interest in Gayle even before Kieron Bowie was ruled out for four months, and the youngster's absence may just elevate the new signing's importance that bit further.

He's not likely to start every week, but if Kukharevych can build on his decent early season form, Hibs won't need him to. What they will need is a player who can affect games whenever called upon, and Gayle's recent short spell with Derby, not to mention his impressive pedigree over several years, suggests he still has that in his locker.