Kilmarnock have today signed Mark O’Hara from St Mirren as the midfielder returns to where his career begun.
Mark O’Hara who made his professional debut at the age of 16 after coming through the ranks in Ayrshire has become a very well known face within Scottish Football also having spells with Dundee and Motherwell as well as small stints with Lincoln and Peterborough down south.
The midfielder made 20 appearances on his first spell with Kilmarnock in 2012 which saw O’Hara make 88 appearances before moving across to Dens Park in 2016, spending two seasons in the City of Discovery before a very small spell in England.
One season with Peterborough United then a spell with Lincoln before returning to Scotland to sign for Motherwell in 2019.
He would go onto spend 3 years in Lanarkshire with the Steelmen making over 80 appearances in Amber and Claret before having a spell at his fourth Scottish outfit, St Mirren.
The 30-year-old would go on to captain the buddies as well as secure three back-to-back top six finishes as well as taking St Mirren back to the European stage as well as winning the Scottish League Cup in 2025 in a 3-1 win over Celtic.
Mark O’Hara is delighted to be back at where it all started and can’t wait to get going at Rugby Park.
O’Hara said: “I’m delighted to be back, and it’s good to come back at this stage of my career when I’m a different player than when I left,” Mark told Killie TV upon his return to familiar surroundings. “This is the club that gave me my chance in football. I’m looking forward to a successful season ahead.
“I needed a fresh challenge. The club’s in a good place, and having had conversations with the manager, and working for him before, I knew he was somebody I wanted to work for again and that he’ll get the best out of me. It’s nice to be able to give a bit back to the club that gave me an opportunity.”
McCann added: “He’s an important signing for the team. As St Mirren’s captain, he brings leadership skills. We lost Brad [Lyons], who had been a big presence around here, so it’s important that we brought in another leader within the group.
“Mark I know well from my time at Dundee, and he was absolutely brilliant for me. It was a long time ago, but he’s still got a lot to offer. He’s a homegrown player with a massive connection to the club, which I’m sure the fans will appreciate and enjoy him being back.
“I think Mark has got so much more to offer. Last season maybe disrupted him with one or two injuries, but I feel I can get Mark back to how good he’s shown he can be.”
O’Hara will wear the 5 jersey as well as most likely get given captain following their former captain, Brad Lyons departed for Aberdeen.