Hibernian have moved swiftly to bolster their attacking options by securing the signature of American forward Colton Swan from Charleston Battery. The deal, as reported by the Edinburgh News, involves a six-figure transfer fee and includes a sell-on clause for any future sale. The young striker is expected to officially link up with the squad in Edinburgh in December, providing much-needed depth for the campaign during the second half of the season.
Manager Malky Mackay has expressed significant enthusiasm regarding the acquisition, viewing the youngster as a high-potential addition to the frontline. Mackay highlighted the physical and mental attributes and the international experience the player brings to the Scottish Premiership.
"Colton is an exciting, hungry, young striker who has US youth international experience, and we feel he can be another great addition to our squad", said Mackay.
Swan arrives at Easter Road following a productive period in the United States, where he found the back of the net 11 times and contributed 3 assists. His pedigree as a USA youth international further supports the belief that he is ready to compete at a higher level. For Charleston Battery, the move represents a major milestone in their player development pathway, with President Lee Cohen confirming Swan is the fourth player sold up north in the last three years.
"What I'm most excited for in this new challenge that's on the horizon is to prove myself in a different environment", stated Swan.
The forward was no hesitant to show his gratitude to his former club, thanking the staff and the fans at Patriots Point for their support. He noted that Charleston will always have a place in his heart as he prepares for this new chapter in Scotland.
While the arrival of Swan is significant investment, Hibernian currently possess several other options in attack, including the experienced Martin Boyle, Nathan Lowe, Owen Elding, and Thibault Kildje. The club will be looking to integrate Swan into the tactical setup once he arrives in winter.
This signing comes at a time when the club looks to improve upon recent performances. According to the final 2025 table, Hibernian finished 5th in the Premiership with 51 points from a record of 13W-12D-8L across 33 games. They ended the season 19 points behind leaders Heart Of Midlothian, with their last result being a 0-1 loss to Motherwell on May 16, 2026. The squad currently remains without the services of Rocky Bushiri.
