The Charleston Battery have reached an agreement with Scottish Premiership side Hibernian FC for the transfer of forward Colton Swan at the end of the 2026 USL Championship season and playoffs, the clubs confirmed Sunday. Charleston are set to receive a six-figure fee for the transfer and retain a sell-on clause as part of the deal.
Charleston and Hibs’ agreement will enable Swan, who is the Battery’s leading goalscorer, to finish his 2026 campaign in the Lowcountry before departing for the Scottish capital when the winter FIFA transfer window opens in January.
“What I’m most excited for in this new challenge that’s on the horizon is to prove myself in a different environment,” said Swan. “Charleston will always have a place in my heart. From my teammates to the staff to the fans, they’ve all made me a better person and player.”
Swan, 19, currently has a team-best 11 goals scored in 20 games across all competitions this season, along with two assists, and was named the Championship Player of the Month for May. The United States youth international will be able to continue in the Battery’s push for silverware while making his bid for the league’s Young Player of the Year award.
Both Hibernian Head Coach David Gray and Sporting Director Malky Mackay spoke highly of Swan’s abilities and his capability to transition his game to the European stage.
“We’re really pleased to have agreed a deal for Colton,” said Coach Gray. “He’s a talented young striker who is certainly one for the future, and we feel he has attributes that will suit Scottish football. We look forward to welcoming him to Easter Road later this year.”
“Colton is another exciting, hungry, international-standard level footballer to add to the group, and he is a player who is keen to test himself in Europe,” said Mackay. “He has great pedigree, having represented the USA at U20 level, and we believe Easter Road is the perfect environment for him to progress long term. We’re excited to see what he can achieve here.”
In addition to the Scottish Premiership, Hibernian compete in the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup, and are currently in UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.
“We’re incredibly proud of Colton and excited for him to take this next step in his career with a club as historic as Hibernian,” said Club President Lee Cohen. “Colton becomes the fourth player we’ve transferred up in the last three years, which speaks to our continued commitment to developing players and providing pathways to opportunities at the next level.
“To now move a player like Colton into the Scottish Premiership, and specifically to a club with the history and stature of Hibs, is another important step for our organization and further demonstrates that Charleston can be a destination where talented players come to develop, compete for championships, and ultimately advance their careers.”
Swan will join elite company in the growing list of recent Charleston players to take their talents to the next level, including Nick Markanich (CD Castellón), Fidel Barajas (Real Salt Lake then Chivas), Trey Muse (Portland Timbers), Dante Polvara (Aberdeen FC then St. Louis CITY SC) and Derek Dodson (Minnesota United FC).
“We will be wishing Colton the absolute best in his career when the time comes for his next chapter,” said Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “With his determination, growth mindset and focus, he will no doubt put himself in a position to help Hibs win in Scotland and continue to make himself the best footballer he can be.
“This transfer is very significant for so many people and institutions. Most importantly, for Colton, but it also shows the support from his family, his teammates, the Battery and our supporters in his football journey. Our club has done an incredible job in the overall process of developing players and throughout the transfer stage. We have an amazing staff, from our president to our coaches, that does an exceptional job of identifying the right talent to fit our club’s identity.”
On the international stage, Swan most recently helped the U.S. earn qualification to the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2027 Pan American Games with their run to the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship Final. For his USYNT career so far, Swan has earned five caps with the U-19 team, one cap (one goal) with the U-20 team and four caps (one goal) with the U-18 team.
The striker joined the Battery after a standout freshman season at Indiana University, where he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
While the European adventure is on the horizon, Swan and the Battery will be aiming to make a strong push to the playoffs and a top-four Eastern Conference finish, starting with Monday’s home match against Miami FC up next.
“To the fans that filled Patriots Point every chance they got, and to those who took extra time to acknowledge me and make me feel special, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for our group and for me,” said Swan. “I hope we can bring more good memories to you all in the coming months.”
The Battery’s next game will be at home against Miami on Mon., Aug. 24, at Patriots Point. Tickets for the match are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, the club’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
