David Gray’s third summer addition, former Swansea City and Leyton Orient midfielder Azeem Abdulai has taken part in a question-and-answer session on Hibs TV to introduce himself to the fans.
Azeem, welcome to Hibs. How happy are you to be here and can you tell us a little about how the move came about?
“Thank you. I’m buzzing to be here. It’s a massive club and, as soon as I heard there was interest, I wanted to get the move done straight away. Coming back home is a big thing for me and, like I said, Hibs is a massive club.”
It was quite a late one last night – you arrived after midnight to join the squad here in Ireland. How have the last 24 hours been?
It’s been good. There was a lot of back and forth between the clubs, but I was just waiting patiently to get the go-ahead. Thankfully, everything got sorted and I’m here now. “
What was it about Hibs that made you and to join and who did you speak to during the process?
“Mainly my agent, and then I spoke with Malky, David Marshall and the Gaffer. Everything they said was really positive, so it made the decision easy. Coming back to Scotland was important to me and, being Scottish, I know how big Hibs is. The direction the club is going in and the project they’ve got made it a no-brainer.”
Can you tell us a little about your career so far and how your time at Swansea and Leyton Orient has helped you develop as a player?
“Playing in England is something a lot of players aspire to do. I started my senior career down there and managed to get a good number of games under my belt, which has put me in a good position coming to Hibs.”
You came through the academy at Celtic and you’re obviously from Scotland. Did you keep an eye on the Scottish Premiership while you were down south?
“Yeah, I tried to. I’ve got a few friends who play, or have played, in the league, so I’ve always kept an interest. I’m just happy to be back and experience it for myself.”
You’ve also represented Scotland at Under-21 level and played alongside a few of the boys here, including Josh Mulligan.
“Yeah, I played with Josh. I think we were only together for a couple of camps, but from what I remember it was good. Representing Scotland is a massive ambition of mine. My focus is on doing well for Hibs and, hopefully, if I perform consistently here, that opportunity will come.”
For Hibs supporters who maybe haven’t seen you play before, what can they expect from Azeem Abdulai?
“They’ll get someone who works hard. I’ll run until the final whistle – and after it if I have to. I’m primarily a defensive midfielder but I can play across the midfield. I like winning the ball back, playing forward and getting on the ball to help the team.”
Finally, how excited are you to play at Easter Road and in front of the Hibs supporters?
“I can’t wait. I’ve seen plenty of videos and I’ve been to the stadium before – I think it was actually the first stadium I ever visited. I know the fans have incredible support for the team and I can’t wait to get out there and make them proud.”
He began his career at the Jimmy Johnstone Academy before spells at Celtic and Leicester City academies followed – the latter of which came after 18 months without a club during the COVID-19 outbreak.
A former Scotland U21 international, Abdulai joined Swansea in the summer of 2021, and was almost immediately called into then-Head Coach Steve Cooper’s matchday squad for the FA Cup tie against Southampton in January 2022.
He would subsequently be an unused substitute in an EFL Championship fixture against QPR at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, before going on to make his senior debut as a substitute in the Carabao Cup clash with Oxford United under former Rangers manager Russell Martin.
A hamstring injury on the eve of what was set to be his full EFL Championship debut derailed his 2023/24 campaign, but the midfielder fought back to forge his career in the senior game with the Swans.
Abdulai scored his first senior goal in the Swans’ 3-1 victory over Gillingham in the Carabao Cup in August 2024, and went on to make 31 appearances and score two goals during his three-and-a-half years at Swansea Stadium.
He joined EFL League One side Leyton Orient on a two-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025, and the Glasgow-born midfielder made an instant impression by scoring a hat-trick in a 6-2 victory over Exeter City, on what was just his second appearance for Richie Wellens’ side.
Abdulai helped the O’s secure a sixth-placed finish, then a place in the EFL League One final at Wembley Stadium in May 2025, where he was a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Last term, Abdulai , who joins Jason Kerr and Callum Wright at Easter Road ahead of the 2026/27 season, made 41 appearances for Orient in all competitions, scoring one goal in a 4-0 win over Burton Albion, as the O’s battled to League One safety.
On the international front, Abdulai has been capped six times for Scotland U21s, all of which came across the 2023/24 campaign – where he played alongside fellow Hibs teammate Josh Mulligan.
The 23-year-old now arrives back in his homeland – for his first senior stint after signing a three-year deal
