Murray Aiken has returned to Airdrieonians on loan until January.

The 19-year-old Hibs midfielder spent last season with the Championship side, making 18 appearances as they mounted a top-flight promotion push that ended in play-off semi-final defeat to Partick Thistle. Aiken made a strong start to life at the Excelsior Stadium before being struck down by an ankle fracture that required surgery.

Having been rated highly by Airdrie manager Rhys McCabe, the teenager will get the chance to get himself back on track by heading back to the Diamonds until the New Year. He becomes the second Hibs academy prospect to head to North Lanarkshire for 2024/25 after goalkeeper Murray Johnson's move earlier this month.

"We can confirm that Murray Aiken has joined William Hill Championship side Airdrieonians on loan until 1 January, 2025," a Hibs statement said. "The central midfielder re-joins the Diamonds where he spent the duration of the 2023/24 campaign.

"Last season, the midfielder got off to a great start winning the Club’s Player of the Month Award in September 2023, featuring 18 times in total and helping Airdrieonians reach the play-off semi final. The 19-year-old will now return to Rhys McCabe’s side for the first half of the 2024/25 campaign."

Sporting director Malky Mackay expects the move to be a beneficial one for Murray, and says Hibs will keep a close eye on his progress.

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 “This is another good opportunity for Murray to gain more experience playing senior football at a good level and a club that he knows well," said Mackay. “Murray impressed during his first loan spell with Airdrieonians last season, and this is a good chance for him to build on that and get more minutes under his belt between now and the end of the year.

“I’d like to thank Airdrie for the smooth handling of the loan and we look forward to seeing how he progresses.”

Aiken signed a first professional deal at Easter Road in 2021, and made his senior debut the following year in a Premiership victory over St Johnstone. He agreed extended terms in May last year, keeping him at Hibs until the end of the forthcoming season.