Simon Murray leaves Bidvest Wits as former Hibs striker returns to Scotland

28-year-old calls time on his time in South Africa

Simon Murray celebrates Hibs' 3- 2 win over Rangers at Ibrox in August 2017

Former Hibs striker Simon Murray is on his way back to Scotland after parting company with South African side Bidvest Wits.

The 28-year-old had been expected to leave the Johannesburg side and despite the Clever Boys being keen to hold on to the former Dundee and Dundee United hitman, Murray is set to return to his homeland with his partner and young child, who was born last year.

A statement from the ABSA Premiership side read: “After two years at the Clever Boys, 28-year-old UK-born Simon Murray returned to his home in Scotland on Friday March 27 2020.

“The club and the player mutually agreed for the player to return home after receiving the all-clear from the surgeon and the club’s medical team.

“The club wishes him well in his future endeavours.”

Murray, who scored 14 times in 29 games for Hibs including a derby winner against Capital rivals Hearts, suffered a cruciate ligament injury last season but had recovered to the extent that, had the coronavirus pandemic not disrupted Scottish football, he would have been ready for the start of pre-season in late June had the Scottish football calendar not been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.