Hibs have confirmed the departure of striker Christian Doidge, who has rejoined former club Forest Green Rovers on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee, with his Easter Road contract up at the end of the season. 

The 31-year-old previously plied his trade at the New Lawn between 2016 and 2019, scoring 66 goals in 122 games including a strike in the 3-1 National League play-off final victory over Tranmere Rovers at Wembley that helped Forest Green reach the Football League for the first time in their history. The Gloucestershire outfit recently sacked head coach Troy Deeney after just six games in charge, with former Bristol City, Birmingham, and Shrewsbury Town manager Steve Cotterill succeeding the ex-Watford striker in the hot seat. 

Speaking after his goal was enough to see Hibs squeeze past League Two side Forfar in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on January 20, Doidge said: "I know what my strengths are and they are a lot different to the other lads. And the manager knows that too. But I want to play as much football as I can. I've got to try to look after myself. It's a short career so if something does come up, I'll be quite happy to move on if I have to. I love it [at Hibs] but you have to weigh up the options and see what happens."

READ MORE - Doidge Q&A as striker speaks on Hibs contract situation

Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery added: “I would like to thank Chris for his efforts this season and his time at the club. It has been a difficult season for him with a few injuries and a lack of game time, but he has always been a model professional.
 
“The opportunity for Chris to take a long-term contract back at a club he knows incredibly well was one we all agreed would be in the best interests of both parties.
 
“With Adam Le Fondre and Martin Boyle coming back into the squad, alongside the arrivals of Emiliano Marcondes and Myziane Maolida, we have options and good squad depth up front going into the second half of the season.”

Doidge moved to Easter Road in 2019 and made 148 appearances in all competitions, contributing 41 goals. After a slow start in green and white, he hit 19 during his first season - which was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic - and reached double figures the following season, chipping in with 13 as Hibs finished third under Jack Ross and reached the latter stages of both cup competitions. 

Injuries hampered his game time during the 2021/22 campaign but he still earned a new contract. After a handful of appearances in the League Cup group stages and the early rounds of the Scottish Premiership at the start of the 2022/23 season, he joined Kilmarnock on loan and played 27 times for Derek McInnes, scoring three times. Despite seeming out of the picture in the Capital he forced his way back into first-team reckoning last summer and featured in every game of the club's UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying campaign, as well as getting consistent league minutes under both Lee Johnson and Montgomery, missing just four matches. 

Doidge's exit is the eleventh outgoing transfer for Hibs this window. Elias Melkersen and Jimmy Jeggo joined Strømsgodset and Melbourne City respectively on permanent deals while fringe players Max Boruc, Allan Delferrière, Riley Harbottle and Dylan Tait, along with youngsters Robbie Hamilton, Reuben McAllister, and Malek Zaid all signed loan deals. Emmanuel Johnson left the club by mutual consent without making a first-team appearance after loan spells with Charleston Battery, Edinburgh City, and Austin FC II.

In terms of incomings midfield pair Luke Amos and Nathan Moriah-Welsh have both signed permanently while attackers Emiliano Marcondes and Myziane Maolida have joined on loan from Bournemouth and Hertha Berlin respectively. Hibs are still pursuing a deal for Cherries defender Owen Bevan ahead of Thursday night's 11.30pm transfer deadline.