Martin Boyle Hibs transfer: Long process 'disrupted' club, robust but cordial talks, Al-Faisaly negotiations, return clause, support for family

Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell has admitted that the protracted transfer saga over Martin Boyle last month disrupted the team and new manager Shaun Maloney’s plans.

Boyle was subject of multiple failed bids from Al-Faisaly before the Saudi Arabian outfit met Hibs’ £3million valuation.

The Australian left after seven years at the club and Kensell feels the process “dragged on for a bit too long”.

“He's an unbelievable player, and has been for some time for this club,” said Kensell.

“He deserves all the plaudits that he gets, but he's also a great person. Throughout the whole period of time dealing with Martin, that was probably the negative around it.

“We lost a good player, but it probably dragged on for a bit too long.

“During that January window, it was a distraction for him, for us, certainly for me, and the way that the transfer was conducted was fine, but it was just protracted.

“There was much going back and forth with the negotiations with Al-Faisaly.

Martin was professional throughout – there were some robust conversations, as there would be. But it was always done in a very professional way.

"Martin has a lot of respect for the fans and for the club, and for the platform he's been given and I'm sure everyone at the club has lots of respect for the opportunity that was being presented to him. In the end, you can't deny a player who has done so well for this football club the opportunity to go out and change their life with a move like that.

Kensell also opened up on the “return clause” that Hibs have should Boyle want to come back to Scotland, with the club having first option on the player.

“We agreed the clause that Martin would come back, as and when he wants to come back to the UK,” continued Kensell.

“We