Garry O'Connor returns to Hibs in bid to kick-start career

The 28-year-old striker, a free agent since having his contract terminated by English Championship side Barnsley two months ago, has signed a one-year contract with the Easter Road club. O'Connor had spent time training with both Celtic and Hibs since his departure from Barnsley, a period which has also seen him arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine before being released without charge pending further investigation.

The Scotland international's agent, Martin Reilly, told The Scotsman last week that O'Connor "knows there is no messing about now" in the wake of "a lot of mishaps in his career".

It was initially believed Hibs were unlikely to pursue an interest in the player they sold to Lokomotiv Moscow for 1.5 million five years ago but Calderwood has decided O'Connor could boost his firepower for the forthcoming season.

Scorer of 59 goals in 167 appearances during his first spell with Hibs, where he made his first team breakthrough as a teenager in 2000, O'Connor is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

"I'm delighted to be coming back home to play for Hibernian," he told the club's website last night. "I'm just so happy at this moment in time, this is where it all began for me.

"Ever since I left to go to Russia, I've always wanted to return at some point and I cannot wait to play at Easter Road again. I'm really excited about what I can achieve with Hibernian and I'm aiming to repay the faith shown in me from the manager by scoring goals and helping the team to succeed.

"Hibernian is a special club with phenomenal supporters. They gave me my big break in the game and now I want to give them something back. I wanted

to come back to Hibernian for a reason, my love for the club. I think Hibs are going to get the best out of me."

After scoring the winning goal for Lokomotiv in the Russian Cup Final, O'Connor cut short his time in Moscow to rejoin his former Hibs manager Alex McLeish at Birmingham City in a 2.7 million move in June 2007.

His time in English football was punctuated by injury problems and after two loan spells at Barnsley, he joined the Yorkshire club on a permanent basis last season.

"I'm still quite young, but I've also now got lots of experience from playing in the English Premier League, the Championship and in Russia," added O'Connor.

"Hopefully I can bring some excitement to the team. I'll certainly be trying my hardest in every game.

"I've never played with as much passion and commitment as I did when I pulled on the Hibs jersey.

"Hopefully I can help to lead the team and make sure that everyone plays with that same level of passion and excitement next season.

"The manager says he wants me to come in and to be a leader. He knows what type of player I can be, so he wants to see my full potential this season.

"He has got every faith in me, that is why I am here. Everything the manager said to me was positive about where he wants the club to be next season and the year after.

"He talked about the players that he is trying to bring in and it is all positive for the club. This is a great environment to be in right now and one we need to build on."

O'Connor's first appearance back at Easter Road could be against former club Barnsley, who will visit for a pre-season friendly on 16 July.

It remains to be seen if he can recapture the form which earned him 16 Scotland caps, the most recent as a late substitute in the 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by the Netherlands at Hampden two years ago.

But Hibs boss Calderwood, who saw his side struggle in front of goal last season and who faces the loss of out-of-contract leading scorer Derek Riordan this summer, expressed his satisfaction with the capture of O'Connor.

"We are really pleased to have a player like Garry on board for next season," said Calderwood.

"He is a quality player with a proven pedigree at the highest level.

"Goals win games and Garry will strengthen our attack for next season and give us an extra option.

"He has learned a great deal about the game during his time away from Easter Road and he will be a very exciting addition to our squad."