Former Hibs kid Ethan Laidlaw signs for Falkirk as boss hails forward's attacking 'qualities'
John McGlynn says new Falkirk signing Ethan Laidlaw has the right attributes to be a big hit.
Falkirk boss John McGlynn reckons new signing Ethan Laidlaw has all of the right attacking attributes to be a key player for Bairns going forward.
The former Hibs youth prospect, 21, joined the club on Tuesday from Brentford in a permanent deal. He has penned a two-year contract with the option of an extra year. The fee for the transfer is undisclosed.
Laidlaw started out at the Easter Road side and worked his way up the youth ranks at Hibs before deciding to move down south to Premier League outfit Brentford in 2023. He was named U21s Players’ Player of the Year for the 2025/26 campaign after a stellar season in which he contributed 15 goals and 10 assists for the club’s B team.
Falkirk boss delighted to sign Ethan Laidlaw
“With regard to the signing of Ethan Laidlaw, we’re delighted to bring him to the club,” McGlynn said. “Ethan is someone who is well known to both myself and Paul. His dad, Stevie, played under Paul at Berwick and was a very good striker.
“Ethan came through the youth system at Hibernian before joining Brentford two years ago. For much of his time there, he featured as a striker for Brentford B, although this season he has also played out wide as well as through the middle.
“He has had a very promising season. His direct running, power and strength, combined with his ability to get into the right positions and score goals, are qualities that really attracted us to him.
“At 21, Ethan joins us as we continue to build the right balance within the squad. We need experience, but we also need youthfulness, energy, and players who can continue to develop.”
Falkirk’s sixth summer signing Laidlaw added: “I’m really delighted to sign for Falkirk. It’s a club I’ve admired a lot over the past couple of years, particularly the manager and the way he wants the team to play.
“Everything happened really quickly once I heard about the interest, and I just felt it was a really good place to come and play my football. As a young Scottish player, it feels like the perfect club to continue my career and development, so I’m over the moon to get the deal done.”