Hibernian FC have completed the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur forward Dane Scarlett for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. The 21-year-old striker arrives at Easter Road as a direct replacement for Kieron Bowie, who recently departed for Hellas Verona in a club-record £6 million deal. Scarlett, who is England’s second-highest all-time U21 goalscorer, joins David Gray’s squad immediately and is expected to bolster the Hibees’ push for European qualification.This move marks Hibs’ third signing of the January window, following the arrivals of midfielder Kai Andrews and striker Owen Elding.
The Transfer Deal Explained
The acquisition of Dane Scarlett is seen as a significant coup for Hibernian, securing a highly rated Premier League prospect to fill the void left by their top scorer.
Loan Terms and Duration
- Club: Tottenham Hotspur to Hibernian.
- Type: Standard Loan (No option to buy reported).
- Duration: Until the end of the 2025/26 season (June 2026).
- Wage Structure: Hibs are reportedly covering a portion of his wages, facilitated by the financial flexibility provided by the Bowie sale.
Why Now? The Kieron Bowie Context
The timing of this transfer is inextricably linked to the sale of Kieron Bowie. Just 24 hours prior to Scarlett’s announcement, Hibernian confirmed Bowie’s £6m move to Serie A side Hellas Verona.+1
- The Void: Bowie had scored 15 goals in 18 months, offering a physical focal point.
- The Replacement: Sporting Director Malky Mackay acted swiftly to secure Scarlett, ensuring the squad wasn’t left light in attack. While Bowie was a physical “target man,” Scarlett offers a different profile centered on pace, movement, and finishing.
Sporting Director Reaction
Malky Mackay highlighted the competitive nature of the deal, stating: “We’re delighted that Dane saw Hibs as the best place for the next step in his career, despite having plenty of offers in England and abroad.” This suggests Hibernian beat out EFL Championship and League One clubs for his signature.
Player Profile: Who is Dane Scarlett?
Dane Scarlett has long been tipped as one of the brightest talents in English football, though his transition to senior football has required patience.
Early Promise at Tottenham
Scarlett is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur academy.
- Record Breaker: In November 2020, he became Spurs’ youngest-ever player (at the time) when Jose Mourinho brought him off the bench against Ludogorets in the Europa League at just 16 years and 247 days old.
- Mourinho’s Praise: Jose Mourinho famously described him as having “phenomenal” potential, comparing his tenacity to Marcus Rashford.
Loan History
Scarlett’s development has been served through a series of loans in the English Football League (EFL), with mixed results:
- Portsmouth (2022/23): His most successful spell. He played 40 games in League One, scoring 6 goals. He showed high work rate and pressing ability.
- Ipswich Town (2023/24): A difficult spell in the Championship where he struggled for minutes in a promotion-winning side, leading to an early recall.
- Oxford United (2024/25): He spent the first half of the 2024/25 season on loan, scoring 4 goals in 22 appearances, proving he could handle the physicality of the Championship.
International Pedigree
Scarlett’s record for England at youth level is elite.
- U19 Euros Winner (2022): He was a key part of the England squad that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, scoring two goals in the tournament.
- Golden Boot Contender: He has consistently been a top scorer for England U19s and U20s, known for his clinical nature in the six-yard box.
Tactical Analysis: How He Fits at Hibs
Head Coach David Gray favors a system that requires energy and pressing from the front, something Scarlett offers in abundance.
Comparison: Scarlett vs. Bowie
| Attribute | Kieron Bowie (Departed) | Dane Scarlett (New Signing) |
| Physicality | High (Target Man strength) | Medium (Agile/Athletic) |
| Style | Hold-up play, back to goal | Shoulder-runner, poacher |
| Best Role | Central Striker / Right Wing | Central Striker (Advanced Forward) |
| Key Trait | Aerial threat | Acceleration & box movement |
The “Fox in the Box”
Unlike Bowie, who would often drop deep to link play, Scarlett thrives on the shoulder of the last defender.
- Movement: He is excellent at making diagonal runs across center-backs, looking for through balls from midfielders like Lennon Miller (if still at the club) or new loanee Kai Andrews.
- Pressing: Gray noted Scarlett’s “athleticism,” which will be key. Scarlett is known for relentlessly chasing down defenders, forcing turnovers high up the pitch—a tactic that works well in the frenetic Scottish Premiership.
Potential Lineup Role
Scarlett is likely to compete directly with Mykola Kukharevych or Martin Boyle for the central striker spot. Alternatively, in a 3-5-2 (which Gray has used), Scarlett could play as the mobile striker alongside a larger partner, feeding off knock-downs.
Hibs’ 2025/26 Season Context
The arrival of Scarlett comes at a pivotal moment in the season.
The Race for Europe
As of January 31, 2026, Hibernian sit 5th in the Scottish Premiership. The goal is to solidify a top-six finish and chase down 3rd or 4th place for a European spot.
- Goalscoring Burden: With Bowie gone, the team needs goals. The pressure will be on Scarlett to hit the ground running.
- Cup Ambitions: Hibs are still alive in the Scottish Cup, and Scarlett will likely be cup-tied? (Note: Rules vary, but usually loan players can play unless they played for another team in the same competition. Since he came from England, he is not cup-tied for the Scottish Cup, making him a huge asset for a Hampden run).
The “Shop Window” Effect
For Scarlett, this loan is critical. After stagnating slightly on the fringes of the Spurs first team (playing just 35 minutes in the first half of the 2025/26 season), he needs a prolific spell to prove he belongs at the top level. The Scottish Premiership has revitalized careers for players like Liam Scales and Adam Idah (Celtic), and Scarlett will hope for a similar trajectory.
Practical Information for Fans
If you want to see Dane Scarlett in action for the first time, here is what you need to know.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Debut Potential: Scarlett is expected to be in the squad for the next league match (Check Hibs fixture list for early February 2026).
- Tickets: Tickets for home games at Easter Road can be bought via the Hibernian e-ticketing site. Category B games start around £24 for adults.
Shirt Number
Scarlett wore #44 at Tottenham. At Hibs, he will likely take a vacant squad number, possibly the one vacated by Bowie (check club shop for confirmation).
Getting to Easter Road
- Address: 12 Albion Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5QG.
- Transport: The stadium is a 20-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley. Lothian Buses 1, 35, and 34 stop nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dane Scarlett? Dane Scarlett is a 21-year-old English striker who plays for Tottenham Hotspur. He is highly rated, having made his Spurs debut at 16, and is an England youth international.
Is Dane Scarlett a permanent signing for Hibs? No. He has signed on a loan deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.He remains a Tottenham player.
Who did Dane Scarlett replace at Hibs? He was signed to replace Kieron Bowie, who was sold to Hellas Verona for a club-record fee of over £6 million in January 2026.
How many goals has Dane Scarlett scored? In his senior career (prior to Hibs), he scored 6 goals for Portsmouth (League One) and 4 for Oxford United (Championship). He was prolific at youth level, scoring over 20 goals in a season for Spurs U18s.
Can Dane Scarlett play in the Scottish Cup? Yes. Since he has not played in the Scottish Cup for any other team this season, he is eligible to play for Hibs in the competition.
Is Dane Scarlett fast? Yes, he is known for his pace and acceleration, often looking to run in behind defenses rather than hold the ball up.
Why did Spurs loan him out again? Scarlett found minutes hard to come by in the first half of the 2025/26 season under Spurs’ manager (Thomas Frank mentioned in reports), playing only a handful of minutes. He needs regular starts to continue his development.
What shirt number will Dane Scarlett wear? This has not been officially confirmed at the time of signing, but he favors #44.
Has Dane Scarlett won any trophies? Yes, he won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with England in 2022.He also received a Europa League winners’ medal with Spurs (as an unused sub in the final, according to reports).
Who is the Hibs manager who signed him? David Gray is the current Hibernian Head Coach who sanctioned the signing.
What is Dane Scarlett’s style of play? He is a modern “advanced forward.” He works hard off the ball, presses defenders, and thrives on quick movement inside the penalty area. He is more of a finisher than a creator.
Did Hibs have competition for his signature? Yes, Sporting Director Malky Mackay confirmed that Scarlett had “plenty of offers in England and abroad,” but chose Hibernian.
Relevant Video: Dane Scarlett – All Goals & Skills | The Future of Spurs? (Note: This is a placeholder for a relevant YouTube search. Users should search “Dane Scarlett highlights” to see his playing style).
