COUNTY teenager Ethan Laidlaw has signed for English Premier League side Brentford.

The former Preston Lodge High School pupil, 18, of Port Seton, has swapped Hibs for the London club and will be part of their B team.

Laidlaw was joined in the English capital by his mum and dad as he officially signed the professional contract last week.

Dad Steven told Courier Sport he was “very proud” of the youngster, who began his career at Longniddry Villa where his dad was the coach.

 

 

Steven, who played more than 135 games in a senior career with Livingston, Berwick Rangers, East Stirlingshire and Montrose, said: “He has got a lot going for him.

“He is a big lad, quick, a good footballer and a good football brain.

“It is really up to him [how far he goes].

“He is now at an English Premier League club and he will keep his head down, working hard.

“He is already a Scotland international at under-17s and under-18s.

“You just want him to do the best he possibly can and see where he ends up.”

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The move brings to an end a decadelong connection with the Easter Road club, which he joined from Longniddry Villa.

Steven knew that his son had a chance to become a footballer from a young age.

He said: “You never know where he is going to end up but you could see if he wanted it he could.

“It is always one of those things where you get to an age and you wonder how things are going to go as teenagers.

“He was at Hibs and he got to play school football and got to play with his mates.

“They won the Scottish Cup when he was at Preston Lodge and he had that and it was fun.

“At Hibs, latterly, it has been good.

“They won the under-18s league, got into the European Youth League last season, which was brilliant, and they were quite successful.”

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Football is in the family’s blood.

As well as Steven and Ethan, younger brother Keir plays for Tranent while Ethan’s twin brother Josh is part of Preston Athletic’s under20s side where Stevie coaches.

In an interview with the Gtech Community Stadium club’s website, the teenager said: “When a club like Brentford comes in for you, I don’t think there would be too many people who would say no.

“The way that the club’s going on a first team level and on a B team level shows that.

“Last year, the B team were playing teams like the Ukraine national team and I don’t think you would get many other young sides getting those opportunities.”

Hibs described the undisclosed transfer fee as “a six-figure fee and a sizeable sell-on”.

 

 

Gareth Evans, academy director at the Easter Road side, said: “Ethan is a talented, young player, but he made it clear to us that he saw his future away from Hibernian FC after the expiration of his contract this summer.

“Once we knew that our contract offer wouldn’t be accepted, we worked hard to get the best deal possible for him, and we’re pleased with what we’ve received from Brentford, which includes a sell-on.

“We wish Ethan nothing but the best in the future, are pleased the club has been compensated properly, and that our club has produced a player fit for an English Premier League team.”