Adam Le Fondre insists he’s happy to be Hibs’ father figure – as long as the Easter Road youngsters want him to help.
Le Fondre, who turns 37 in December, penned an initial one-year deal with the Leith side on Friday. The move brings him back to British football after five years in Australia with Sydney. And the former Reading, Bolton and Cardiff striker is desperate to prove he can maintain an impressive scoring record with 273 goals in 694 career appearances.
But he knows Hibs have recruited him for his influence off the pitch too. Le Fondre said: “I’m a player who’s hungry in what I do and I’m here to help the younger players as well. I’ll try to impart some of my knowledge and help them improve. They’ve got to be open to it, I’m not going to ram it down their throat. But it’s something I’ve done in Sydney, I’ve always been willing to talk to young players and help them.
“If I see things that can help them and make us a better team then I’m willing to have those conversations. As an older player, you have to do those things and help out other people, help them out on their journey.
"You get gratification from that as well. It’s not just going to be about me playing. It’s about helping the younger players as well.”
Le Fondre worked under Hibs’ new director of football Brian McDermott at Reading and helped shoot the Royals to the Premier League in 2012. But he is also well versed in what to expect under Lee Johnson.
Le Fondre added: “I’ve had good conversations with the manager. It’s funny, because I said to Brian my last game in England was against the gaffer’s Bristol City team. We drew 2-2.
“His teams are always very attacking, the strikers score lots of goals. To get myself in those positions is normal but the service is what’s key.
“He said there’s going to be plenty of that, so I said there’s going to be plenty of goals. I’m just looking forward to enjoying myself here.”
Hibs warm up for their Europa Conference League campaign and return of the Premiership against Bournemouth in Marbella on July 13 after facing Europa of Gibraltar on July 8. Fans following Hibs to the Costa del Sol can watch both games for free.
