Harper becomes Par

Former Hibs, Derby, Portsmouth and Stoke player returns to Scotland

Former Hibs winger Kevin Harper has joined Dunfermline on a two year deal. He moves back to Scotland after playing in England for the last nine years. The former Scotland U21 internationalist is out of contract at Stoke City having been loaned out last season to Carlisle United and Walsall.

His last appearance in Scotland was in the First Division playing for Hibs against Clydebank in August 1998. He was on the scoresheet that day along with Stevie Crawford and a certain Gary Teale scored for the Bankies.

The 31-year-old had a successful spell with Carlisle where he made eight appearances for the Brunton Park side. However on his return to the Britannia Stadium in January 2007 he has found his chances in the team limited. He finished the season with Walsall playing in ten of their games in the run in, scoring four goals.

Although born in Oldham, Kevin was raised in the Glasgow suburb of Possil. The nippy winger first impressed as a youngster when playing for Hutchison Vale Boys Club in Edinburgh, he won international honours for Scotland schoolboys before joining Hibernian. Debuting in the 1993/94 season, he made 96 league appearances for Hibs, scoring fifteen goals, before Jim Smith signed him for Derby at a cost of £300,000. He made 32 appearances for Derby, scoring once. He also made 9 appearances and scored once whilst on loan to Walsall in 1999/2000. He was transferred to Portsmouth for another £300,000 in March 2000. He made 125 appearances for Pompey but was squeezed out following their promotion to the Premiership and the signing of Patrick Berger from Liverpool.

Kevin was then loaned out to Norwich City and Leicester City before joining Stoke City in February 2005. Harper nearly won international honours when he was called up to Berti Vogts Scotland squad after impressing in the Future Scotland / Scotland B team. If capped, he would have been the first lack player to represent Scotland since Andrew Watson in 1882.

Harper's impressive form in the Canaries' unbeaten run in September a loan extended until December 2003. However Kevin then himself endured injury and was limited to just 9 appearances for Norwich before returning to Portsmouth.

On 8th September 2004, Kevin joined Leicester City on a month's loan having not made an appearance in Portsmouth's first team so far that season. Leicester boss Micky Adams said "We are delighted to bring Kevin to the club on loan. He is a player who will add creativity to the side from the flanks."

After returning to Portsmouth, Kevin was transferred to Stoke City on a two and half year contract at the beginning of February 2005. A dislocated shoulder at the start of the year, after a hamstring strain in pre-season, ended his campaign with the Potters prematurely.

In October 2006, Kevin was loaned to Football League One side Carlisle United. He was loaned out for the second time during the 2006/7 season when he joined Walsall towards the end of February 2007. He made his Walsall debut on 24th February 2007 scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Barnet. Returning to Stoke at the end of the season, the Potteries-side decided not to renew his contract which expired at the end of the season.