Marvin Ekpiteta is Hibs transfer target as David Gray adds former Blackpool star to list of options

The 28-year-old is a free agent after leaving English League One outfit Blackpool last month with Warren O'Hora also a possibility.

Hibs are keen on former Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta.

The 28-year-old is a free agent after leaving the League One club last month. And Record Sport understand David Gray has the 6ft 4in central defender on his list of targets as he looks to shore up his backline ahead of his first season in charge. Ekpiteta helped Blackpool win promotion to the Championship in his first year with the club three seasons ago and was named the club’s player of the year in his second campaign at Bloomfield Road.

The former Nigeria U-20 international went on to make over 140 appearances for the Seasiders before deciding to move on in search of a new challenge at the end of the last campaign. Gray is desperate to add defenders to his squad having lost Paul Hanlon and Will Fish who has returned to Manchester United after a loan spell in Leith.

Irish stopper Warren O'Hora is also among the options Gray is considering after leaving MK Dons but he also has interest south of the border. Bournemouth’s Owen Bevan is also expected to return north on loan after injury stopped him making a single appearance following his January move from the Cherries.

Ekpiteta won two caps at U-20 level for Nigeria and has also turned out for an England C side against Estonia U-23s in 2018. He broke into the EFL ranks with Leyton Orient, helping the Londoners win promotion from the National League, after spells in the non-league with East Thurrock, Concord Rangers and Chelmsford City.