Martin Boyle: Hibernian complete sale of Australia winger to Al-Faisaly for £3m

Martin Boyle has completed his £3m transfer from Hibernian to Al-Faisaly but is already targeting a return to the Scottish Premiership club.

The 28-year-old Australia winger had spent seven years at Easter Road before the Saudi Arabian club met the Leith outfit's asking price.

Aberdeen-born Boyle is Hibs' top scorer this season with 14 goals.

"Hopefully in the future I can return one day and repay them once again," he told Hibs' website.

"It's a new adventure for me. I'm certainly looking forward to it, but I'm hoping that, if I do come back, I've still got a lot to give. If I'm welcomed back with open arms, there's no club in Scotland I'd rather be at."

Boyle will leave behind his wife and daughter as he heads to the Middle East in a move that will be life-changing in a financial context.

Harmah-based Al-Faisaly are currently 14th in the 16-team Saudi Pro League, having finished ninth last season.

Boyle, who started his career with Montrose and joined Hibs in 2015 after three years with Dundee, is pleased that Hibs have benefitted from his decision to sign a new contract until 2024 last summer that removed a clause in his previous deal that meant he could leave for a bargain fee of £500,000.

Hibs had initially rejected bids of around £2m, but chief executive Ben Kensell pointed out that Boyle had made it clear he wanted to take the "life-changing option".

"Letting Martin go was a difficult decision to make as he's an important player for us," he said.

"Discussions have been on-going for a long period with Martin and he understood our stance. We took a firm but fair approach and he conducted himself incredibly well during what's been a difficult period for him - and we thank him for that."

Boyle was not involved in Thursday's Scottish Cup tie against Cove Rangers as Hibs laboured to a 1-0 extra-time win at home to the League 1 leaders.

Afterwards, Hibs manager Shaun Maloney criticised comments from predecessor Jack Ross, who has advised Boyle in recent days and said he deserved the "life-changing" move.

"We had the previous manager come and speak out publicly today, which was difficult," Maloney told BBC Scotland. "I found it quite disrespectful to me and my staff and the club more importantly."

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