Martin Boyle stays with Hibernian after signing extended deal

Martin Boyle will remain a Hibernian player after agreeing a fresh long-term deal to keep him at Easter Road until 2024.

The 28-year-old was subject of a failed £500,000 bid by Aberdeen this week, sparking fresh talks to finalise an extension to his contract.

The contract Boyle signed in August 2020 included a clause allowing him to leave for a new club outside of Scotland if they met a set valuation.

The player confirmed on Wednesday that his new deal had no release clause in it.

Boyle was already tied to Hibs until 2023 but he has been persuaded to pledge his future to the Edinburgh side for a further year in a move the club hopes will ward off the Australia international’s suitors.

Boyle said: “It’s a great feeling to agree a new deal at a football club that means a lot to me and my family.

“I think everyone can see how much I’m enjoying it here and how my own game is benefiting from that.”

Head coach Jack Ross said: “Last season, his numbers for goals and assists were outstanding, and he’s started exactly the same this season as well.

“You can tell he’s feeling good and he’s right at it.

“For me, he’s as good as anyone in this country in his position, and long may it continue because he’s a major asset for us.

“I’ve had long conversations with our new chief executive Ben Kensell about building something here and he has been hugely supportive in aiming to keep our best players at the club.”

Boyle joined Hibs initially on loan from Dundee in January 2015 and impressed to earn a two year permanent deal that summer.

He went on to make 238 appearances in green and white, scoring 54 goals.

Despite being born and raised in Aberdeen, Boyle qualified to play for Australia through his Sydney-born dad, and he chose to represent the Socceroos in 2018.

He made his debut against South Korea in Brisbane in November 2018 and has won seven caps, scoring three goals.