Former England goalie Hibs is pursuing, while Gray is closing in on first signing

Available after failing to make an impression in Belgium as the former Stoke No. 1
Josef Bursik, a former England Under-21 goalkeeper, is being pursued by Hibs as a possible No. 1. The keeper for Club Brugge is looking for a move back to the UK after failing to join the Belgian first squad, even though he is under contract until 2027.

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With former Scotland great David Marshall retiring and taking on a new role as technical performance manager under the direction of new sporting director Malky Mackay, the 23-year-old is considered a potential challenger for Jojo Wollacott’s starting spot at Easter Road. Wollacott has not established himself in the starting lineup, but he did step in for Marshall when the veteran sustained a nagging injury toward the close of the previous campaign.

David Gray, the new head coach, is keen for Wollacott to face fierce competition for the position. And he’s recognized Bursik as a potential opponent.

In January 2023, former England player Scott Parker signed the former Stoke goalkeeper, who made over 50 appearances for the Potters in the Championship. Parker was Brugge’s first signing. Bursik’s prospects of succeeding were further hampered by Parker’s termination from the position in March of last year, and a significant knee injury he suffered the previous summer made matters worse.

After recovering fully from cruciate ligament damage, the former AFC Wimbledon prospect—who was limited to playing for Brugge’s academy team during his time in Belgium—is hoping to resume a career that saw him win international honors with England all the way up to the Under-21 level, where he shared the field with current international stars Marc Guehi, Cole Palmer, and Conor Gallagher, among others. Tomorrow marks Gray’s first full day in charge of Hibs’ preseason preparations after his fourth term as interim manager following Nick Montgomery’s dismissal with two games left in the previous campaign. Hibs will also play their first friendly against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank on Saturday week.