Pa Saikou signs for Hibernian
- Tuesday, 31 January 2012
- Written by Modou Lamin Beyai
As reported by Gambia Sports Online on Friday that Gambia international Pa Saikou Kujabi has been given the chance to revive his career after Scottish Premier League side Hibernian F.C decided to hand him a trial, we again report to you that the Scottish side has decided to sign the Gambian on an 18-month contract.
The 25-year-old defender nicknamed the ‘Gambian Roberto Carlos’, is capped 10 times by Gambia and has extensive experience of European football following spells at Austrian clubs Grazer AK and SV Ried and FSV Frankfurt in Germany and now the left-back says he is excited about the next chapter in his career - playing for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.
Pa Saikou Kujabi told the club’s official website: “I'm really happy to sign for Hibs. I have to thank the manager [Pat Fenlon] for believing in me and making me a Hibs player. I can’t wait to start here and show the Hibs fans what I can give back to the club. I love it here, everybody has been very welcoming and it already feels like home.”
Pa Saikou, who is known for his free-kicks, said his on-field style has led to comparisons with the celebrated former Brazil international. He added: “I play like Roberto Carlos - that is what everybody calls me back in Gambia. At my previous clubs, they’ve likened me to Roberto Carlos as well. I like to go forward and support the attack from left-back.”
“I love playing like that; it’s my type of football. I’ve scored from free-kicks before in Germany and Austria and I can’t wait to play for Hibs,” he concluded.
About Hiberbian FC
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts.
Hibernian were founded in 1875 by Irish immigrants, but this identity has been downplayed to the point where support for the club is based on location rather than ethnicity or religion. The Irish heritage of Hibernian is still reflected, however, in its name, colours and badge. The name of the club is usually shortened to Hibs.
The team are also called The Hibees (pronounced “high-bees”) and The Cabbage, a shortening of the rhyming slang for Hibs of “Cabbage and Ribs”, by fans of the club, who are themselves also known as Hibbies.
Home matches are played at the 20,421 capacity Easter Road stadium, which the club have played at since 1893, when the club also joined the Scottish Football League. Hibernian have played in the Scottish Premier League since 1999, one year after the breakaway league was founded.
Hibernian have won the Scottish league championship four times, most recently in 1952. Three of those four championships were won between 1948 and 1952, when the club had the services of The Famous Five, a notable forward line. The club have won the Scottish Cup twice, in 1887 and 1902; but have lost nine Scottish Cup Finals since, most recently in 2001.
The last major trophy won by the club was the 2007 Scottish League Cup, when Kilmarnock were beaten 5–1 in the final. It was the third time Hibs had won the League Cup, also winning in 1972 and 1991.