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Alan O'Brien last night revealed that the chance to work again with Tommy Craig was a deciding factor in his decision to join Hibernian.

The Republic of Ireland internationalist will sign a three-year contract the Easter Road club on July 1, after his contract with Newcastle United expires.

O'Brien, 22, said the presence of assistant manager Craig, who used to be on the coaching staff at Newcastle, as well as Hibs' reputation as a good footballing side had made it an easy decision to move north.

He said: "Any player who has worked under Tommy will tell you that their football education has benefited greatly from his influence and guidance. He is an excellent coach and I'm certainly looking forward to working with him again, but there is also the opportunity to work with John Collins.

"As a player, John has pretty much seen and done it all, and as a manager he has already made a great impact at Hibernian. Everybody in the game is I think aware of what has been happening at Hibernian over the last few years, the quality of young player coming through the ranks into first-team football is exceptional.

"I have enjoyed my time at Newcastle United immensely but I believe that with Hibernian I can progress both at club and international level."

O'Brien made nine first-team appearances in six seasons on Tyneside and also spent a month on loan at Carlisle. He made his international debut against Holland in August last year and has since won a further four caps.

Collins, the Hibs manager, said: "We are delighted to have signed Alan. He is a young player who has had the best possible grounding at Newcastle United and while his first-team experience has so far been limited, his quality is without question, and that I think is underlined by his appearances for the Republic of Ireland.

"A few other clubs were naturally drawn to him, but Alan has chosen Hibernian to progress his career knowing that this club continues to provide the best possible platform for a young player to learn and enjoy the game.

"Alan is a wide player and very, very quick. He knows already the way we like to play the game and we expect that he will see a great deal of the ball."

O'Brien will join his new team-mates in time to travel to Austria on Sunday for their pre-season training camp. He will also be reunited with former Newcastle team-mate Brian Kerr, who also spoke yesterday of the influence Craig has had on his career.

The 25-year-old former Motherwell midfielder, who signed a pre-contract earlier this year, said: "Coming to Hibs was never a difficult decision to make. I had worked with Tommy before and frankly I was desperate to work with him again.

"After speaking to John Collins as well, I knew that the move was the right one for me to make. I really believe this club will be good for me, but I also hope and believe that I will be good for the club."

Across Edinburgh, the Hearts captain Craig Gordon has not given up hope of a move away from Tynecastle this summer. The 24-year-old goalkeeper has been tipped to make the switch to the Barclays Premiership, with reports suggesting Sunderland have tabled a £3m bid.

Whether Hearts would be willing to let their prized asset go for such a sum remains to be seen, after assistant coach Stephen Frail labelled him a £10m player last season, but Gordon said: "It's entirely down to Hearts if they accept any bids, if there are any bids coming in. The transfer window has a long way to run, so it might just be the case that something happens towards the end."

Hearts could lose out on signing the former Sunderland midfielder Tommy Miller after Steaua Bucharest offered him a contract. The Romanian side have offered more money and the prospect of Champions League football.

Gretna have signed the former Uruguay youth internationalist, Fabian Yantorno. The 23-year-old will complete the formalities on a one-year deal later this week.

Mick Wadsworth, Gretna's director of club development, said: "We are delighted to sign Fabian as there was a lot of interest from clubs in Mexico and Uruguay. He can play in midfield and also as a striker which gives us another attacking option."

Yantorno could be followed through the arrivals door by Tony Caig, the former Hibs goalkeeper, who is in talks with the club following his return from playing with Vancouver Whitecaps.