Ben Kensell has opened up on the first refusal option Hibs managed to secure on Martin Boyle.
The CEO insists the Hibees are the only British team the forward would play for and hopes to see him return one day soon.
The 28-year-old agreed a £3 million switch to Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia on wages reported to be about £20,000 a week.
Kensell admits Boyle's departure was a spanner in the works for Shaun Maloney as he attempts to rebuild the side, and also "disruptive" for the squad.
"We agreed the clause that Martin would come back, as and when he wants to come back to the UK," he told the Scotsman.
"We have first refusal on him, and I think that shows the nature of the negotiation and the nature of the relationship that I've got with Martin and the club has, and supporters have with Martin.
"He doesn't want to play anywhere else in the UK except for Hibs so hopefully we've got that position if Martin wants to come back after his adventure.
"We wish him the best out there – he's started well – but hopefully he comes back and he's a Hibs player because we never wanted to let him go. He knows that.
"That was quite disruptive amongst the squad, but also quite disruptive in general for Shaun's plans and for our plans. I'm not exaggerating, but I think it would have been one of the best windows this club has had, if we could have retained Martin's services.
"But we didn't and it will be judged for what it is."
