Franck Sauzee to make long-awaited return to Edinburgh as Hibs legend plans visit for 2020

Hibs legend Franck Sauzee will visit Edinburgh next year after taking up a role as an ambassador for a charity headed up by current first-team pair Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson.

The former France international - who played 90 times for the Hibees, scoring 16 goals - has not been back at Easter Road since the end of his ill-fated 69-day spell as manager and is set to make a long-awaited return to the city after he was unveiled as the latest figurehead for the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation (HSF).

After his acrimonious departure from Hibs in early 2002, Sauzee returned to his homeland and worked in the restaurant business before joining broadcaster Canal + as a football pundit and commentator.

Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson at the launch of the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation

Sauzee said: "I am very impressed with the work the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation is doing, and I am delighted to accept the role of Ambassador.

"I look forward to visiting Edinburgh next year and helping the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation in their fundraising efforts. Glory, Glory to the Hibees.”

HSF chairman Graeme Cadger added: "It’s an honour to have Franck as one of our Ambassadors.

"When we first spoke, I told him about some of the projects we are helping fund and he showed a genuine interest and compassion.

"He wants to help and he’ll be over in Edinburgh to support a couple of our events next year."

Sauzee, 54, joins fellow HSF ambassadors Charlie and Craig Reid of The Proclaimers, radio host and presenter Grant Stott and local businessmen Billy Lowe and Paul Demarco.

The HSF was launched in June 2019 and is aimed at helping youngsters and less privileged children in the Edinburgh area. It has already helped to employ coaches and provide facilities in partnership with Street Soccer; bought 20 Hibs season tickets for kids as well as paying for children to be mascots or ball-persons during Hibs home games.

Funded by donations from both players from their testimonial years, the HSF has longer-term goals of raising more funds through a wide range of initiatives and events.

• Further announcements will be made on the HSF's social media channels