Kanayo Megwa's introduction to Scottish football was playing as a trialist for the Hibernian development side in a friendly against Civil Service Strollers at the Lowland League club's Christie Gillies Park on July 2, 2021, in weather best described as typical of an Edinburgh summer. 

Now, three years later, he is a fully-fledged member of David Gray's Easter Road first-team squad, having helped Hibs to the CAS Elite Under-18 League title in May 2022 and the SPFL Reserve League title in April 2023, represented the club in Europe in the UEFA Youth League, familiarised himself with SPFL football with loan spells at Kelty Hearts and Airdrieonians, and made eight first-team appearances for Hibs including his Scottish Premiership debut last season. 

"It has been an interesting journey for me here at Hibs," he told Hibs TV.  

"I have played for the under-18s, I have played in a lot of different positions, and I have been getting used to living in another country. I never thought I would get this far, so to sign a new deal has been great."

Filling in his signature on the dotted line on Friday was the next step for a player who has his sights firmly set on cementing his role in Gray's senior group - and it was the Hibs head coach's words that helped convince Megwa to pledge his future to the club.

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“I am really happy - we have been talking about it for a while, so I am delighted to get the deal over the line. The manager told me how much he trusts me and spoke to me about what I can do in the future, so it was a no-brainer for me to sign. He has worked with me for a while now; he trusts me, and he knows what I can do. I’ve signed the deal now, so hopefully I can progress from here," Megwa added.

Scouted by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur when he was just five years old, Megwa later moved out to Dubai with his family where he continued to play football, before returning to England to continue his schooling - and playing. He had trials with Accrington Stanley but moved to another school, Brooke House College, which opened the door to greater opportunities in the sport. 

Encouraged by father Nnamdi and mother Ngozi, Megwa took part in a number of football trial events, designed to give players the chance to impress scouts from professional football clubs. He impressed sufficiently to gain chances with both Watford and West Bromwich Albion, before catching the attention of scouts from Hibs. 

Appearances as a trialist followed before he signed a contract in September 2021, and he seamlessly fitted into the under-18 team, operating as a right-wingback and right-back, as well as playing as a centre-back in a three-man defence. His performances for the youngsters in the title-winning season and again in the Youth League bumped him up to first-team training although his first taste of senior football in Scotland would come in Fife, where he impressed during a short loan stint with Kelty Hearts in League One. Such was the nature of the feedback from New Central Park it became clear that, should Megwa head out on loan the following season, it would almost certainly be at a higher level. 

And it was. He joined Airdrie, teaming up with Easter Road colleagues Murray Aiken and Josh O'Connor, and catching the eye during his appearances for Rhys McCabe's team - so much so that he returned to the Diamonds the following season, despite joining the first team on their pre-season training camp in Spain. 

The perceived wisdom, at least in footballing circles, is that it is unwise to fall in love with a loan player, but Megwa had that effect on Airdrie fans, who were dismayed to see him recalled by Hibs in January to join Nick Montgomery's squad for a winter training camp in Dubai. A handful of first-team outings followed during the absence of Lewis Miller for Asian Cup purposes, and Chris Cadden through injury, before he returned to see out the season with the Diamonds, helping them reach the promotion play-off quarter-finals where they lost to Partick Thistle.

“Airdrie was a great experience for me and my confidence. It was great to get out and play and learn from a new manager and play in a new system – I feel I adapted pretty well, so it was a good experience," Megwa said of his time at the Excelsior. 

As for what happens next, that depends on several factors. At 20, Megwa will feel he is ready to be a first-team regular and fight for a starting berth under Gray, who took the defender to the Netherlands for pre-season to give him a chance to prove himself.

It has been three years of hard work, dedication, belief, and progress from Megwa. A four-year deal represents the faith the club's hierarchy has in his ability and hints at the potential role they feel he might play in a rebuilt Hibs team, with at least 15 players - including loanees - out of contract next summer.

Whatever ends up happening this season, be it inclusion each week in the first-team squad and battling it out for game time, or another loan spell, you can be sure that 2024/25 will be another season of graft for the determined defender as he aims to keep improving. His short and longer-term ambitions are not complicated.

“Hopefully I can solidify my spot in the squad and in the future, help Hibs win as many trophies as possible," he continued. 

Exactly the sort of attitude and character Gray and sporting director Malky Mackay have been craving from their players. Watch this space.