"Someone the squad needs": MK Dons boss Warne on new signing Ekpiteta
The defender is someone Paul Warne has been keen to work with for years
The physical attributes Marvin Ekpiteta brings tick all the right boxes for MK Dons boss Paul Warne.
The 29-year-old stands at 6ft 4in, has pace and athleticism, all things which the head coach has been calling out for in his team.
Completing the signing of the centre-back from Hibernian, Warne is eager to put him to work.
“He’s a big centre-half with pace, he’s aggressive in both boxes and I just think he’s something the squad needs,” Warne said. “We’re really fortunate to get him over the line.
“I think, at times, sometimes we need to be stronger, we need different ways to play different games. It’s our way as staff to see what we’re missing and to try and get it.
“He knows what he is good at, and he knows he has to work hard to get into my team.”
Having plied his trade in non-league, Ekpiteta first came to the attention of Warne during his spell at Leyton Orient. Then at Rotherham United, Warne tried to sign him but the Londoner opted for Blackpool before making the move to Hibs last summer.
Warne continued: “I’ve tried to sign him before when he was at Leyton Orient, but he went to Blackpool, and I’ve tracked him ever since.
“To get Marvin through is great news for everyone.
“He was doing really well at Hibs when he first signed there, but he got injured and the team did really well without him and he just couldn’t get back in again.