Hibernian set to sign Owen Elding from Sligo Rovers

ELDING TO SCOTLAND: Owen Elding celebrates scoring for Sligo Rovers: Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor.

Hibernian are set to sign Owen Elding from Sligo Rovers for a fee believed to be in the region €400,000.

Personal terms have been agreed with the striker, who will travel to Edinburgh for a medical on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old scored 12 goals for the League of Ireland side last season and was voted PFA Ireland Young Player of the Year.

Elding will be the Easter Road club's first January arrival.

Elding, who is finalising eligibility criteria to represent Ireland’s U21s, had two years left on his contract at Sligo.

Sligo manager John Russell confirmed that, unlike previous talents, no cheap release clause existed. It’s known that clubs in Germany and Austria were interested but he’s opted for a move to Scotland.

“I spoke to the club and said, ‘We need to tie him down’ - and thankfully we have,” Russell said last June.

“There’s no buyout clause or any of this stuff.

“So it’s important as a club that we move forward and get proper fees for our talents if we are developing them.

“And I think whoever does eventually prise Owen away from the club, it’ll be a hell of a fee.”

It’s believed the deal includes a series of milestone increments, including a sell-on portion, that could eventually bank Sligo income above the €1m mark.

St Patrick’s Athletic last year sold their teen star Mason Melia to Tottenham Hotspur for an upfront fee of €1.9m mark while Shamrock Rovers are to receive €2m from Arsenal when Victor Ozhianvuna joins the Gunners next in 12 months’ time after he turns 18.