Hibernian make defender Marvin Ekpiteta their third summer signing

Hibs have made Marvin Ekpiteta their third summer signing after the centre-back signed a three-year deal at Easter Road.

Ekpiteta became a free agent after reaching the end of his contract at Blackpool and, after completing a medical and agreeing terms, made the move north to become the latest member of David Gray’s Hibs squad.

He follows goalkeeper Josef Bursik and fellow defender Warren O’Hora in moving to Easter Road as the club revamp their squad for next season.

After making his debut for Chelmsford City in 2014, Ekpiteta spent several years in non-league football before helping Leyton Orient to promotion in 2019.

The centre-back moved to Blackpool a year later and earned promotion to the Championship in his first year at the club. Ekpiteta went on to make more than 140 appearances for the Seasiders.

Gray said: “Marvin is someone I look forward to working with. He has great experience at a good level in England and adds extra leadership to the dressing room.

“Physically, he has all the attributes that fit the demands of Scottish football; he’s big, strong, dominant, very athletic, and will be an asset in both boxes. We’re really pleased to bring him to the club.”

HIbernian sporting director Malky Mackay commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Marvin to Hibernian FC as we continue to improve our squad.

“Like Warren O’Hora, Marvin is another player who has been a captain and a leader within first team groups. He is a real defender with a lot of experience, and I look forward to seeing him in action.”

Ekpiteta said he was relishing the challenge of helping Hibs to success.

“I am happy to get the deal done, it has been an ongoing conversation for a couple of weeks now so I am happy to get it over the line,” he told Hibs TV.

“There was a bit of initial interest at first, then my agents spoke to Malky and it progressed quite nicely. I liked everything that I heard about the club and I liked what I have seen so far, so it’s definitely a good move for me.

“I have really enjoyed my career so far. I have come all the way up from non-league to the championship down south, now I am up in the Scotland and I feel my whole career I have been on an upward trajectory.

“The history (of the club) was a bit thing for me and to play at this level against some really good teams was a big thing for me. It’s something different for me, a new challenge that I am looking forward to.”