Hibernian are doing all they can to battle through visa red tape to finalise the signing of Manchester City winger Thomas Agyepong in time for Thursday’s Europa League encounter with Molde.
The 21-year-old has passed a medical with the Easter Road side and agreed to make the season-long loan move north, following in the footsteps of City team-mate Brandon Barker, who was a huge hit with Hibs last season.
The Ghana internationalist has even been registered with UEFA as a member of the Hibs squad in anticipation of him being able to play in the third qualifying round tie against Molde.
However, a hold-up with the necessary visa paperwork means the transfer cannot yet be completed.
Manager Neil Lennon said last week: “We are just waiting on the paperwork as Thomas has had his medical.
“He’ll be with us on a year’s loan. He’s very similar to Brandon, good with both feet, quick, good end product.
“He’s 21-years old, so he fits the profile.”
It remains to be seen whether tomorrow’s first leg in the capital will come too soon but it appears next Thursday’s away leg in Norway may be a more realistic proposition for the player, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at NAC Breda in the Netherlands.
UEFA, meanwhile, have opened disciplinary proceedings against Hibs following last week’s triumph in Greece.
The governing body have hit the Easter Road outfit with three charges concerning the behaviour of their supporters and their organisation during the 4-3 aggregate win over Asteras Tripolis.
Hibs have been accused of two counts of breaching article 16 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) due to the "setting off of fireworks" and "throwing of objects".
Fans appeared to set off a flare and smoke bomb ahead of kick-off in Tripoli and then catapulted another flare on to the pitch in the wake of John McGinn’s opening goal in the 1-1 second-leg clash.
Hibs made a plea to their 1000-strong backing during last week’s game to refrain from such behaviour.
A tweet during the half-time interval said: “Supporters at the game – please do not set off any pyrotechnics. Thank you for your co-operation.”
The capital club have also been charged with breaching article 24 of the UEFA Safety and Security Regulations for "insufficient organisation [no stewards with away supporters]".
Meanwhile, Asteras have been accused of breaching article 16 of the DR following a "field invasion".
Both clubs will find out their fate at the meeting of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on August 23 and face probable fines.
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