PEEBLES High School pupil Josh Landers has signed his first professional contract, committing his future to Hibernian FC.

Last week the highly rated youngster joined fellow Borderers Zach Bruce and Jay McGarva  and six other talented youngsters – Freddie Owens, Rory Whittaker, Jamie Bulloch, Owen Calder, Dean Cleland,  – by putting pen to paper.

The eight stars will now prepare for the 2023/24 campaign with Darren McGregor’s U18 squad.

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Sixteen-year-old Landers was part of the U19 UEFA Youth League squad and featured in victories over Molde and FC Nantes.

He scored plenty of goals for Gareth Evans’ U18s last season which earned himself a call-up to the Scotland U16s squad.

Landers has had a strong start to the 2023/24 campaign already, scoring for the Hibs Development Squad in the SPFL Community Trust Trophy victory over Formartine United.

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Evans, now Hibernian's academy director, said: "Signing your first professional contract is a very proud day for any young footballer and one they will remember for the rest of their lives.

"Each of these young lads is thoroughly deserving of their new contracts and we are looking forward to watching them progress for the U18s and Hibs Dev Squad over the course of the new season."

A Peebles High School spokesperson said: "Huge congratulations to Josh Landers for signing his first professional contract with Hibs.

“Brilliant news Josh, and good luck from all of us at Peebles High School.”