Hibs claim bumper Elias Melkersen transfer fee as striker joins Strømsgodset on permanent deal

Hibs have banked a bumper £1.2million transfer fee for Ellias Melkersen after the striker completed a permanent move to Norwegian club Strømsgodset.

The 20-year-old failed to score a single league goal for the Hibees after his £350,000 move from Bodo/Glimt to the Premiership in January 2022. In 32 appearances across all competitions for Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson he netted just three times.

But a loan move Eliteserian club in the summer has seen Melkersen score four goals in 15 appearances and his performances have convinced the Drammen-based club to shell out the seven-figure fee which will boost for Nick Montgomery’s January kitty. Hibs have also negotiated a chunky future sell-on for the Norway U21 international. Director of Football Brian McDermott said: “Firstly on behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank Elias for all his hard work during his time with us. He performed well during his loan spell at Strømsgodset, and they expressed their desire to make the move permanent. This is a good opportunity for Elias to continue playing in his home nation and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Chief executive Ben Kensell added: “We are delighted with the fee that we’ve received for Elias; one that’s significantly greater than the original figure that brought him to the club. During his time with us, and out on loan, Elias continued to develop, which is why we’ve been able to agree this excellent fee for him.

“This transfer is another example of us developing young players that then go on to generate greater and meaningful fees that we can re-invest into the club and the first team playing squad, which was always part of our model.”