Hibs have announced Kanayo Megwa's official recall from his loan at Airdrieonians.

The 19-year-old spent a successful half-season in the Championship - winning the Diamonds' Player of the Month award twice - as he made 13 appearances. Nick Montgomery included the versatile defender in the travelling party for Hibs' midseason training camp in Dubai, and now wants Megwa as part of his first team squad for the remainder of the season.

The teenager impressed the management team during the week-long retreat, and with Hibs still light on bodies through injuries and international commitments, Montgomery feels Megwa has a part to play at Easter Road.

A club statement said: "We can confirm that young defender Kanayo Megwa has been recalled from his loan spell at Airdrieonians. The 19-year-old spent the first half of the 2023/24 campaign at Airdrieonians before flying out to Dubai to take part in our mid-season training camp.

"After impressing Nick Montgomery and his coaching staff during his time on loan and in Dubai, the club has decided to recall Kanayo from his successful loan spell at the cinch Championship side. 

"Megwa initially joined Airdrieonians in September 2023 and went on to make 14 appearances for ‘The Diamonds’ – including 13 starts. The versatile right-back also won the Airdrieonians Player of the Month Award on two separate occasions during his short spell in Airdrie."

Having already featured in the Scottish Cup for Airdrie, Megwa is ineligible for Saturday's trip to face Forfar Athletic in the fourth round. But Montgomery is confident he will have opportunities to impress in the months to come, having been struck by the player's attitude and ability after seeing him up close.

READ MORE: Why Hibs took Megwa to Dubai - and what his stats say

“I have been really impressed with Kanayo from watching him at Airdrieonians and when he was with us in Dubai," said the manager. "He has a great attitude, has trained well, and has a lot of quality attributes as a player.  Kanayo has had a great spell away on loan, he has made good progress, and has come back an improved player with a lot more confidence too. This is the perfect example of how loan spells can benefit some of our young players. 

“With Lewis Miller away with the Australian National Team and Cadds returning from injury, this gives us another option at right-back and I am confident we can give him opportunities in the second half of the season.”