When Hibernian head coach David Gray was helping his side end their 114-year Scottish Cup hoodoo, Marvin Ekpiteta was playing in the sixth-tier of English football with Chelmsford City as the Clarets finished 15th, five points off the relegation zone.

Eight years later he has joined Hibs on a three-year deal after winning promotion back to the Football League with Leyton Orient in 2019, and helping Blackpool reach the Championship via the play-offs in 2021. Now, he says he's ready for a new challenge in the Scottish Premiership.

READ MORE - Hibs boost defensive ranks further with capture of 'leader' Marvin Ekpiteta

“Those experiences in the lower leagues definitely helped shape me as a person and built my character from a young age," he told Hibs TV. 

“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 Scotland and I feel my whole career I have been on an upward trajectory."

The departure of Paul Hanlon and the return of Will Fish to parent club Manchester United and Nectar Triantis to Sunderland - albeit the Australian was clearly more comfortable in a midfield role - left Hibs with precious few options at centre-back but the signing of Warren O'Hora, closely followed by Ekpiteta's arrival, following on from Josef Bursik agreeing a season-long loan deal on Monday, point to Gray, Malky Mackay, and the club hierarchy identifying the problem areas and dealing with them in a timeous fashion. 

Ekpiteta's name had been linked with Hibs for a while but at this time of year, there are a lot of rumours and speculation flying around. This time, however, it was accurate.

READ MORE - 'The most uninterested man': How Hibs 'spoiled' David Gray's family holiday

"It has been an ongoing conversation for a couple of weeks now so I am happy to get it over the line," the 28-year-old added. 

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

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

Ekpiteta's height - at 6ft 4in, he is the tallest centre-back to pull on a Hibs shirt since David Stephens during the 2012/13 season - marks him out as a threat in the attacking third as well as a solid presence in his own box. 

"I am a player who gives his all, constantly. I am aggressive in both boxes and I just love to defend. That is my job so that is my main priority. I like to lead by example, in terms of my effort and how I carry myself both off the pitch and on it. 

READ MORE - Why Warren O'Hora chose Hibs, and why club wanted him

“I am happy to be here for three years; it's a good length for me as I feel I am a defender in the prime of my career. My ambitions are to get this club back into Europe, finish inside the top three, and take it from there."

A no-nonsense approach to match his no-nonsense performances on the pitch. The proof will be in the pudding, as they say, but Ekpiteta could be the type of commanding, aerially-strong centre-half Hibs have been lacking in recent seasons.