Lowe joins Hibs on loan as he signs new Stoke contract

Nathan Lowe ended last season on loan to Wycombe Wanderers [Getty Images] Hibernian have signed Nathan Lowe on a season-long loan from Stoke City, with head coach David Gray saying the forward was the "physical presence" and "natural goalscorer" he had been seeking. The 20-year-old England Under-19 cap came through the Championship club's youth ranks and has already had loan spells with Walsall, Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers. Lowe made his senior debut in February 2023, signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Stoke the following January and has agreed an extension until 2029 to coincide with his loan to the Scottish Premiership. He has made eight starts and 21 substitute appearances for Stoke, scoring twice, but it was with Walsall in League Two where he was most prolific, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 30 appearances as he earned the English League Two Young Player of the Year Award. Last season, he scored 11 as he spent the first half of the season with Stockport and the second with League One rivals Wycombe. "He brings a great energy and enthusiasm about his play, as well as a physical presence," Gray told his club website. "He is a natural goalscorer and he has proven that he can score a range of different types of goals. "He has good experience too, having already played a substantial amount of games at a competitive level despite his young age." Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters told his club website: "Nathan has no doubt benefitted from the experiences he's had in Leagues One and Two and it speaks to his mature character that he wants to test himself in a new environment in Scotland. "That he will also gain exposure to playing in European competition is something new and will only help his development. "We will keep a close eye on his progression."