Dan Barlaser has left Middlesbrough to join Hibernian on a season-long loan, with the move expected to bring his time at the Riverside to an end.
The 28-year-old midfielder heads north of the border after falling out of favour under Rob Edwards, and the switch will run until the expiry of his Boro contract.
Late deal after English window shut
Barlaser was made available for transfer on deadline day, with Championship sides showing interest. However, the 7pm closure of the English market meant no deal could be completed in time. With Scotland’s deadline extended until 11pm, Hibs took advantage of the additional hours to finalise an agreement late on Monday night.
The former Newcastle United youth player did not feature in any of Middlesbrough’s opening five league and cup fixtures, underlining how far he had slipped down the pecking order. Despite the departure of Law McCabe on deadline day, Boro’s midfield was bolstered by the loan arrival of Alan Browne from Sunderland, and with Abdoulaye Kante, Sverre Nypan and Riley McGree also competing for places, opportunities looked remote.
Barlaser arrived at the Riverside in January 2023 after impressing at Rotherham United and went on to make 67 league appearances for the Teesside club. Yet he never fully established himself as a consistent starter, often providing depth rather than being a first-choice pick in the middle of the park.
Hibs fill midfield gap
The move suits both parties. Middlesbrough offload a player out of favour, while Hibs head coach David Gray secures the experienced midfielder he had been seeking throughout the summer. Gray had been eager to sign Sunderland’s Nectar Triantis after two successful loan spells in Edinburgh, but the Australian opted for a move to Major League Soccer instead.
That left Hibs still short of a deep-lying midfielder to operate as a No.6. Barlaser’s arrival addresses that need, bringing a composed passer who can dictate tempo from the base of midfield. With his contract at Middlesbrough expiring in the summer, the loan also serves as a potential audition for a longer stay in Scotland if the spell goes well.
The timing of the transfer, coming after the English deadline had passed, highlights how cross-border deals can provide late solutions for players and clubs alike. For Barlaser, it offers the chance to restart his career in a new environment rather than spend the season on the fringes at the Riverside.
Writer’s View
This move signals closure on Barlaser’s Middlesbrough chapter. Despite flashes of ability, he never quite nailed down a starting berth, and Edwards’ reshaping of the midfield made his role redundant. For Hibs, it could be a timely coup. Gray needed a holding midfielder and has secured one with proven Championship experience.
If Barlaser adapts quickly to Scottish football, he could provide the balance Hibs have been chasing all summer. For the player, it is a fresh stage to prove he still belongs at a high level, with his long-term future now in his own hands.
