Elie Youan talks candidly about four years at Hibs, the blocked moves to Stoke, the dugout injury, online racial abuse and the goals he will always remember
Elie Youan sat in his family home in Nantes and, for the first time in over a year, chose to explain his side of a turbulent four-year spell at Hibs. In this candid conversation he covers the high points — productive loan form, a permanent transfer, and striking moments on the pitch — as well as the low points: injuries, a failed move, and online racial abuse.
He confirms that leaving after four seasons was emotional, complicated and something he had been trying to arrange since 2026. Throughout the interview he balances gratitude for the city of Edinburgh and Portobello life with frustration over how parts of his time unfolded.
Youan made 118 appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 21 assists for Hibs, numbers he acknowledges with measured pride but also a sense that more could have been achieved. He highlights how different managers affected his opportunities, praising some and admitting difficult relationships with others.
He also stresses his ambition — the plan when he joined permanently after a successful loan stint in the 2026/23 season from St Gallen was to use Hibs as a springboard, ideally toward English football and the Premier League. That trajectory, he says, was interrupted by a mixture of setbacks and circumstances beyond his control.
The transfer saga and the dugout incident
A recurring theme in Youan’s account is the failure of moves he hoped would advance his career. He says attempts to join Stoke City collapsed more than once and a possible move to Legia Warsaw also did not materialise. A key turning point was an injury he describes as self-inflicted: after a derby match against Hearts he kicked a dugout in frustration and “spread” his toes, a problem that stopped him passing a later medical. He calls the episode “silly” but admits it came from intense emotion in a high-stakes game. The injury required treatment and cost him the second half of a season, undermining transfer plans and fuelling rumours.
The medical and its consequences
Failing a medical because of the toe problem meant that a near-certain switch to Stoke did not happen at the end of that window. Youan explains that people within and outside the club sometimes assumed he was shirking or faking injuries, but insists the pain and recovery were real. He also stresses that he did not want to leave Hibs as a free agent, but negotiations and the timing of events left the club unable to cash in. For a player in his mid-20s, that outcome was far from ideal and shaped how supporters and critics interpreted his motives.
Abuse, support and life away from home
Another frank strand of the interview is Youan’s experience of racial abuse, including an online incident that led to a 15-year-old being charged and a club statement in August 2026 describing the behaviour as “disgusting.” He frames racism as an unfortunate constant in sport and society: hurtful and unnecessary, yet something he has learned not to let define him. He emphasises the human cost of playing abroad — missing family gatherings and relying on a small circle of club teammates for support — and praises close friends at Hibs such as Rocky Bushiri, Allan Delferriere and Kanayo Megwa for helping him through difficult patches.
Sanctuary in Edinburgh and personal life
Despite the problems, Youan speaks warmly about life in Edinburgh. He recalls living in Portobello, practising on the local astro, enjoying crepes and morning runs, and building routines that gave him contentment off the field. He describes himself as a family man with three brothers and six sisters and highlights his niece Imani, whose birth coincided with one of his most celebrated goals. These personal roots help explain both his resilience and the sadness of leaving a place where he felt at home.
Memorable goals, managers and what comes next
Youan lists five moments he will always cherish: a volley against Celtic at Parkhead in May 2026 (celebrated in tribute to his newborn niece), a strike against Luzern that he had practised on Portobello’s astro, a well-rounded contribution at Celtic Park, and two goals in derbies at Tynecastle in December 2026 after a poor start to the match. He singles out managers who got the best from him, particularly Lee Johnson, who he credits with revitalising his confidence after his move from Switzerland. He hopes to work with Johnson again one day and values partnerships with teammates like Myziane Maolida and veterans such as Aiden McGeady.
As he prepares for the next chapter, Youan combines ambition with perspective. He remains driven to reach higher levels in his career but also mindful of the human side of the game: being judged for appearances, bearing public scrutiny, and staying true to what makes him an entertaining, attacking player. Leaving Hibs marks the close of a significant chapter: one filled with standout finishes, painful setbacks and lessons that will shape his future choices.
