Scotland wing Damien Hoyland signs short-term deal

Scotland international winger Damien Hoyland has signed a one-year extension that will see him remain at the club for a further season.

Hoyland, 25, joined his hometown team in 2014 – making his debut against Ospreys in February 2015 – and today pens a deal that will see the winger gear up for his sixth year in the capital.

On extending his contract, Hoyland, said: “I’m really excited to have signed for a further year with my hometown club.

“We’ve got a great squad in place here and I can’t wait to play my part in helping this team achieve some great things. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in next season.”

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, added: “Damien has unfortunately had a tough time with injuries the past two seasons, but we were really impressed with his mind set and the way in which he returned to action this year.

“He’s an international winger that has shown he can perform at the highest level. It will be hugely beneficial for him get a full pre-season under his belt and he will be an important player for us at a key position.”

A former pupil at the city’s James Gillespie High School, Hoyland rose through the ranks at Edinburgh, representing the club at U16, U17 and U18 levels.

The winger – who saw game time at Melrose and Boroughmuir – was called up to the Scotland 7s squad in September 2014, before making his debut at the opening leg of the 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series on the Gold Coast, Australia.

Hoyland made his Edinburgh debut against Ospreys in February 2015, before enjoying a breakout second season that saw the winger score eight tries in 20 appearances during the 2015/16 campaign.

The winger – who has been capped four times – made his full international debut as a replacement in the 2015 summer Test win over Italy in Torino, but had to wait a full year for his second cap and first start, in the opening 2016 summer Test win over Japan in Toyota.

It was another year until Hoyland was to feature for Scotland – again on the summer tour – where he scored his first try for his country in the series opener against Italy in Singapore.

Hoyland endured frustrating 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns as he returned from respective foot and knee injuries, however the winger was back to his best at the tail end of last season and was named to start in the Heineken Champions Cup Quarter-Final against Munster at BT Murrayfield.

The winger has to date scored 20 tries in 63 appearances for the capital club.