Hibs Sign Nathan Lowe on Loan from Stoke to Boost Attack

Hibernian have moved to sharpen their attack with the season-long loan signing of highly rated Stoke City striker Nathan Lowe – a player head coach David Gray has been actively hunting for all summer.

The 20-year-old, capped by England at Under-19 level, arrives in Edinburgh with a growing reputation as a ruthless finisher and a handful for defenders. Gray has been clear about what he wanted at the top end of the pitch: a physical focal point who lives for goals. In Lowe, he believes he has found exactly that, describing the forward as both a “physical presence” and a “natural goalscorer”.

A rising finisher with real numbers to back it up

Lowe is not an unknown prospect taking his first step into senior football. He came through Stoke’s academy, made his senior debut in February 2023, and did enough in his early outings for the Championship club to earn a new four-and-a-half-year deal last January. Stoke have now tied him down even longer, with the striker agreeing an extension through to 2029 to run alongside his move to the Scottish Premiership.

The numbers from his loan spells in England tell the story. Eight starts and 21 appearances off the bench for Stoke have brought two goals so far, but it was his time at Walsall in League Two that really turned heads. Across 30 games, Lowe hit 18 goals and laid on seven assists, a devastating return that saw him named English League Two Young Player of the Year.

That kind of output is exactly what Hibs have been missing: a forward who not only occupies centre-backs but punishes them.

Last season underlined that his Walsall form was no one-off. Lowe split the campaign between Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers, finding the net 11 times across those two League One spells. Different clubs, different systems, same result – he scores.

Gray gets his man

For Gray, the appeal is obvious. He wants energy, aggression, and someone who can turn half-chances into points.

“He brings a great energy and enthusiasm about his play, as well as a physical presence,” the Hibs boss told the club’s website, highlighting not just Lowe’s frame but his willingness to work. Gray also underlined the variety in the youngster’s finishing, stressing that Lowe has already shown he can score “a range of different types of goals” and has “good experience” at a competitive level despite his age.

That last point matters. At 20, Lowe has already played substantial senior football in high-stakes environments, battling for promotion pushes and dealing with the weekly grind of the EFL. Hibs are not betting on potential alone; they are bringing in a player who has already carried responsibility in front of goal.

Stoke play the long game

Stoke’s stance on the move speaks volumes. Sporting director Jonathan Walters made it clear the club see this as a crucial step, not a parting of ways. By securing Lowe on a long-term contract to 2029 before sanctioning the loan, they have effectively underlined his importance to their future.

Walters pointed to the value of Lowe’s previous spells in Leagues One and Two and highlighted his “mature character” in choosing to test himself in a new country. The Scottish Premiership offers a different kind of challenge – intense atmospheres, physical contests, and, in Hibs’ case, the lure of European football.

That last element could be decisive in his development. Walters noted that exposure to European competition will be something new for Lowe and believes it can accelerate his growth. Stoke will monitor him closely across the season, knowing that a successful year in Edinburgh could return a far more complete striker to the bet365 Stadium.

A statement move for Hibs’ frontline

For Hibernian, this is a signing with intent. They have not just added depth; they have brought in a young forward with a proven eye for goal, a track record of adapting quickly to new surroundings, and the frame and attitude to lead the line in Scotland.

Lowe arrives with awards, goals and expectations. Now he has a different kind of stage, a new league and the chance to show that his scoring touch translates under the glare of the Scottish game – and possibly under European floodlights.