Marvin Ekpiteta makes lofty Hibs target as new signing lifts lid on transfer

Marvin Ekpiteta insists Hibs can take his career to a new high as he targeted a Premiership top three finish and leading the Easter Road club back into Europe. The defender has penned a three-year deal to become David Gray’s third signing and insists he is in the prime of his career after leaving Blackpool.

No-nonsense stopper Ekpiteta spent five years cutting his teeth in the non-league with Chelmsford City, Concord Rangers and East Thurrock before moving to Leyton Orient who he helped win promotion back to the EFL. Four years at Blackpool saw him win promotion to the Championship and although the Seasiders dropped back into League One the 28-year-old reckons Hibs are the perfect platform to reach new heights. He said: “I’m here for three years, it’s a good length at this time of my career, I feel like I’m in my prime.

“My ambition is to get into Europe, top three and who knows from there. My career has been good so far. It’s nice to come up from non-league to the Championship and now to Scotland. I still feel like I’m on an upward trajectory. Non-league is tough physically and mentally, especially when you’re young. It’s made me who I am today. The character on the field and off the field. It has helped me be more of a leader and help my team mates. I like to lead by example through effort and how I carry myself on and off the pitch. That’s why I was captain a few times at Blackpool. I will give it my all. I’m aggressive in both boxes and I just love to defend. That’s my job, that’s the main thing.”

Ekpiteta can’t wait for a fresh challenge north of the border where he will link up with fellow new signing Warren O’Hora in vying for a start in Gray’s defence. The former Nigeria U20 international made over 140