Hibernian FC has completed their first summer transfer deal with the signing of Jason Kerr, a 29-year-old centre-back who has returned to Scotland after five seasons with Wigan Athletic. The Edinburgh club has been linked with Kerr since 2018, when he left St Johnstone to join the Latics. Kerr, a League One winner in his first season with Wigan, has made 150 appearances for the club, including 37 in the campaign just ended. Hibernian boss David Gray has hailed Kerr as a 'real leader' who will strengthen the team's back three. Kerr's experience, quality on the ball, and leadership will be beneficial for the team, and he has the capacity to play in any role across the back three. Hibernian sporting director Malky Mackay is pleased to have brought a player of Kerr's calibre to the club, especially at this early stage of the transfer window. The signing of Kerr is a boost for Hibernian as they look to improve on last season's fifth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership. With Rocky Bushiri out for an indeterminate period of time, a centre-half was a priority for Gray. Hibernian are also in pursuit of a centre forward and a central midfielder as they look to strengthen the squad ahead of a return to the UEFA Conference League next month. The team will play the first leg of their tie on July 23, with the return match a week later, before kicking off their SPFL campaign on the weekend of August 1.