Leland Archer during Hibs Training at HTC on November 27, 2020, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)
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Charleston Battery duo Leland Archer and Robbie Crawford have joined former Bayern Munich trainee Thomas Roberts in Hibernian training after emerging from a period in quarantine as they bid to impress Jack Ross at East Mains.

Trinidadian defender Archer and ex-Rangers midfielder Crawford are the first two players to arrive in the Capital after the Leith outfit inked a 'strategic partnership' with USL side Battery that will see talent exchanged between the two clubs.

Tricky midfielder Roberts meanwhile is among the inaugural young stars scouted by the Hibees' American-based technical scout Ian Gordon, son of owner Ron, as part of his new role at the club.

The trio were placed in quarantine after jetting in from the US in line with the latest coronavirus protocols, with Ross and his coaching staff getting a first look at them on the training pitch.

Battery COO Mike Kelleher admitted he was optimistic the South Carolina-based pair would catch the eye of Ross, tipping towering defender Archer to make an impression.

He told Edinburgh Live: "Leland is a big, strong, powerful centre back, he's had a fantastic season. He was our player of the season and made the the all-league second team, so you are talking about a guy who is one of the top players in the division.

"He is on the cusp of the Trinidad and Tobago national team, which is fantastic for him, but let's see how he gets on."

Kelleher added: "It will be interesting to see how they do. Should either of them get a contract, that's wonderful, if they don't, we would love to get a bit of feedback from Hibs as to where we are where they are as players, if we need to start them a little bit further down the pyramid, is there another opportunity with another club in Scotland, in Europe even that we can explore to get that first foot in the door."

Crawford played 45 times for Rangers after coming through the Ibrox academy and gained loan experience at Greenock Morton and Alloa Athletic before arriving in Charleston after spells in Finland and Iceland.

He also became the first male Scottish player to sign up to the Common Goal pledge before being joined by Hibs defender Ryan Porteous earlier this year.

FC Dallas midfielder Roberts, 19, trained with European champions Bayern last year after impressing during his initial trial and later spent time with fellow Bundesliga side Augsburg before returning to star with the MLS side's second-string North Texas SC.

Hibs face Dundee at Easter Road this weekend as they bid to reach the last eight of the Betfred Cup.


SOURCE: Edinburgh Live