Leyton Orient have signed defender Tom James from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.

The 25-year-old right-back has signed a one-year deal to become Kenny Jackett’s seventh signing of the summer.

James told the club website: “It’s a new challenge for me and something I’m really looking forward to. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch and get going now.

“I’m versatile, I can play anywhere along the back four, but mainly a right-back who likes to get forward, and like to get assists and goals along the way. But primarily of course I’m a defender, and that’s the main job.”

After a surprise move up to Hibernian in 2019, James was sent out on loan to both Wigan and Salford, but is now looking to settle down and make Orient his home.

“The move up there was a bit of a surprise to be honest,” he said. “But I moved up there a couple years ago and it started off pretty good, but then the manager lost his job and it kind of went downhill for me from there.

“I loved my time at Hibs and I’ve got a lot of good friends there, and then I went on a couple of loans to Wigan and Salford.

“At Wigan, I really enjoy playing there. I got a few goals and enjoyed my football. It didn’t quite work out the same at Salford, but I’m looking to really kick on with my career now. Hopefully this is the place.”

Early conversations with head coach Kenny Jackett suggest that James is on the same page as his new boss ahead of the upcoming season.

“I played against the gaffer a couple of times in the past few years,” he said.

“He kind of just explained to me what kind of player he sees me as for the club and so I’m looking forward to.

“We’ve had a few little chats here and there just about how he thinks I’ll fit into the way the club works and how he likes to play football and it’s very similar to how I go and play anyway so that suits me really well, and he’s obviously really ambitious as a manager and that’s something that definitely drew me to the club.”