Lewis Miller became the latest Australian to make the switch to the Scottish Premiership, joining Hibernian in the top flight.
Former Central Coast Mariners star Miller has signed a three-year deal, with Hibs having the option to extend for a further year, pending international clearance.
The Olyroos right-back, who is currently preparing for the AFC Under-23 Asian cup quarter-finals, left the Mariners at the end of the 2021-22 season and actually signed a pre-contract agreement with Isuzu UTE A-League rivals Macarthur FC before agreeing a transfer to Hibs.
Miller’s move comes after former Mariners team-mate Kye Rowles also departed for Scotland, signed by Hearts, who boast ex-A-Leagues stars Cam Devlin and Nathaniel Atkinson.
“I’m delighted the club have managed to secure Lewis. We have secured his services amongst fierce competition from interested parties in Scotland and across the globe,” Hibs manager Lee Johnson said of the Mariners academy graduate.
“Lewis is a real competitor in his game style and is blessed with the physical and technical attributes to seamlessly fit into the way we work.
“Credit must go to Lewis also, as he decided to join Hibs for the right reasons. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in a Hibs shirt.”
Miller, who was named in Opta’s Team of the Season after helping the Mariners reach the A-League Men finals series, made 56 appearances for Central Coast.
Solid defensively and a threat in attack down the right, the 21-year-old tallied 12 blocked crosses throughout the campaign – four more than any other player.
Miller also averaged 11 duels in the 2021-22 season – the second most among his team-mates.
“A lot of work has gone into bringing Lewis to the club. He’s someone that really impressed in the A-League last season,” said Hibs’ head of recruitment Ian Gordon.
“This highlights our strategy of securing young, exciting talent from around the world and how we’re expanding our scouting network globally.
“The terms of this deal made it a no-brainer for us, as he has the attributes to fit into Lee Johnson’s system.”
Hibs – the former home of Socceroos Martin Boyle and Jamie Maclaren, and former Australia international Mark Milligan – finished eighth last season as Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic won the Premiership.
