Warren O’Hora agreed a three-year deal with Hibernian on Wednesday - but the defender admitted he ‘couldn’t believe it’ when he got the call from the club asking him to sign. 

The 25-year-old Irishman was a free agent following his departure from MK Dons after 160 appearances, mostly in England’s League One, after coming through the youth ranks at Bohemians in Dublin and then Brighton.

READ MORE - Hibs win O'Hora race as second defender is linked with Easter Road switch

“When the call came, it was a pinch-myself moment. There was excitement and a small bit of disbelief that a club this size wanted to come and sign me,” he said, speaking after his signing was announced by Hibs - their second transfer of the summer after goalkeeper Josef Bursik agreed a season-long loan from Club Brugge on Monday. 

“I came up and saw the facilities; the stadium was amazing, the city of Edinburgh is lovely. I was really taken aback by it. I couldn’t say no, it was a no-brainer for me and my family. This feels like a big move in my career. I needed a change. It’s massive for me and my partner because we’re starting a family soon and straight away, I felt like this was a place I could call home.”

O’Hora will wear five on his shirt for Hibs; a squad number whose previous holders at the Scottish Premiership side include the likes of Ryan Porteous, Liam Fontaine, Rob Jones, John Hughes, Tommy McIntyre, George Stewart, and Jim Black. But while that level of pressure might be daunting for some, O’Hora is embracing the opportunity. 

“Scottish football is an experience and a challenge that I haven’t had but I’m looking forward to it,” he continued. 

“I think it's the right time in my career to challenge myself against the good teams in this league. To play for a big club like this is another challenge in itself and that’s something I’ll relish and enjoy.”

Hibs didn’t have their problems to seek in defence last season; their goals-against column in the league table spoke for itself. But the capital club will hope the arrival of the former Republic of Ireland youth internationalist can help them shore up at the back. Head coach David Gray described O’Hora as a ‘brave, aggressive organiser with great leadership qualities” and the player didn’t disagree.

“I love being on the ball. I’m a ball-playing centre-back, I’m a leader, and I’m quite vocal on the pitch. But ultimately, I like clean sheets. Nothing infuriates me more than when the ball goes in the wrong goal. I’ll give everything for the shirt and the Irish following is a big pulling factor for me to give everything - and another reason I couldn't say no.”

READ MORE - How Josef Bursik was sold on a transfer to Hibs

Gray and sporting director Malky Mackay know a thing or two about leadership qualities from their own careers, and speaking to the two former defenders before signing helped convince O’Hora that he was making the right decision.

"I spoke to the gaffer and I spoke to Malky, and to some of the staff as well. They want to have a good season, they want to be ambitious, and that's exactly what I want as well. I don't see why a club this size shouldn't be, and I believe I can help get the club back to where it should be," he explained. 

But it's not just about his footballing ability. Mackay hailed O'Hora as 'another good person to add to the dressing room', while Gray said of Bursik: "He’s someone we’ve been monitoring for a long time due to his technical ability, pedigree, and the positive character references we’ve received."

Russell Martin, the former Scotland international defender, became MK Dons manager in 2019 and signed O'Hora the following year.

"He’s a physical and powerful player, and he can use the ball really well too," Martin said. "Most importantly, though, we received incredible character references for him — everyone we spoke to about him mentioned his leadership skills."

When O'Hora signed a contract extension under Martin's successor Liam Manning, the former Lommel SK boss said: "Warren epitomises the culture we want to establish here at MK Dons, with his behaviours and habits around the dressing room and in training as well as his consistent and high-level performances on the pitch. He is a terrific role model for young players coming through."

Glowing praise for a player not long turned 25 and with his peak years still ahead of him. O'Hora has passed the character test - the onus is now on the Dubliner to show that he has the ability on the pitch to match.