Former Celtic defender Efe Ambrose has joined Greenock Morton in the Championship after training with Hamilton Accies.

The 34-year-old, who has also played for Livingston, St Johnstone, Hibs, and Dunfermline, had been training at New Douglas Park since the summer, despite Accies boss John Rankin repeatedly stating that he had no intention of signing him.

However, after assisting the Nigerian in staying fit, he has now joined a rival club in their division, who sit eight points above rock bottom Accies, and will face the South Lanarkshire side when they next meet in January.

“Greenock Morton is delighted to announce the signing of Efe Ambrose on a contract,” a Morton statement said. “Efe joins the team as a highly experienced defender, having played almost 200 games in the Scottish Premiership, where he won the league with Celtic on four occasions, and has made just under 50 appearances for his national team, and was part of the Nigeria side that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.”

Rankin admitted Ambrose had left to pursue a full-time position.
“I’m not sure where Efe is going,” he said. But he did abandon us here ten days ago.

“He was looking for a full-time playing contract – basically for the end of his playing days – that included coaching.” He was brilliant when he first arrived here, great with the kids, really infectious, set high standards for the younger ones, and provided excellent advice.”