Hibernian sign Yantorno, loan out Benjelloun

Hibernian have completed the signing of out of contract Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Yantorno and loaned striker Abdesellam Benjelloun to Belgian side Royal Charleroi on the eve of the kick-off to their 2008-09 Scottish Premier League campaign.

Yantorno appeared in 21 games last season for recently relegated Gretna before succumbing to a knee injury in February. Hibs sign Yantorno as a free agent, after Gretna released the player. The contract will see Yantorno at the Edinburgh club for the next two seasons.

Meanwhile, Moroccan international striker Benjelloun is on his way to Belgium to spend the next season on loan to Royal Charleroi. He has been with Hibernian since 2006, featuring in 53 matches with 6 goals, most notably a brace in the club’s 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the 2007 CIS Insurance Cup final. Benjelloun had also attracted interest from Charleroi’s Jupiler League rivals Anderlecht and Westerlo.