Hibs snare Chelsea starlet

Hibernian have signed goalkeeper Yves Makabu-Ma-Kalambay from Chelsea.

The 21-year-old has agreed a three-year deal and arrives at Easter Road on July 1.

Boss John Collins had hoped to recruit the young keeper back in January but the player was recalled by Chelsea to cover for injuries to Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.

The goalkeeping position has been a problem area for Hibs over the last couple of seasons, with Simon Brown, Zbigniew Malkowski and current keeper Andy McNeil all making high-profile blunders.

Collins was thrilled to land his fifth signing of the summer, telling the club’s official website, www.hibernianfc.co.uk: “We were all very impressed by Yves when he came to Easter Road in January and had hoped he might join us at that point.

“However, Chelsea required him to return as back-up and we had to be patient.

“He is again a young signing for us but of tremendous potential.

“He is a good height for a goalkeeper at 6ft 5in tall and is very strong and athletic – in fact he has all the attributes you could expect to find in a player in that position.

“It says much for his qualities that he was on the verge of playing in the Champions League, and I have little doubt that, had he been called upon to do so, he would have done himself justice.

“It is perhaps to our advantage that he did not play in that game. Had he done so, we might never have had an opportunity to bring him to Easter Road.

“He has benefited from world-class coaching at Chelsea under Silvino Lauro but such is the quality of goalkeepers at Chelsea there was little opportunity for first-team football and at this stage in his career that is what Yves is seeking.

“Yves will continue to develop at our club and have every opportunity to reach his full potential, something that I am confident he will achieve.”