Darren McGregor returns to roots as Hibs defender is named Leith Athletic's first ever Club Ambassador

Hibs defender Darren McGregor has returned to his footballing roots by becoming Leith Athletic's first ever Club Ambassador.

Darren McGregor has taken up a role as Club Ambassador for Leith Athletic

The East of Scotland club is marking its 25th anniversary this year, having been re-formed in 1996.

A statement from Leith Athletic chairman Leighton Jones read: “As part of our 25-year celebrations, Leith Athletic Football Club are delighted and proud to announce that Darren McGregor has agreed to accept the role as our first ever Club Ambassador.

"At the start of the year, there were a couple of initiatives I wanted to take forward to mark our 25th anniversary. One of those was to appoint an ambassador who could act as a role model to every player within the club, whether a five-year-old starting out or an East of Scotland first-team player.

"In discussing the options with the clubs committee, there was only one name that epitomises everything that this community club is about.”

McGregor joined Leith Athletic as an 11-year-old in 1996, captaining the team to their first silverware in 1998 and remaining with the side for seven years.

His performances attracted the attention of Cowdenbeath, whom he joined in August 2004 and helped to the Scottish Third Division title.

He made a brief return to the junior ranks with Arniston before rejoining the Blue Brazil in 2008. A four-year spell at St Mirren followed between 2010 and 2014, when he joined Rangers.

After one term with the Ibrox side he signed for boyhood heroes Hibs, helping them to Scottish Cup glory and the Championship title.

To date he has played 166 times for Hibs, scoring eight goals.

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