Kevin Nisbet has sealed a switch to Millwall that could eventually net Hibs £2.2m - just five months after u-turning on a move to the Den.
The striker is heading to the English Championship after three years in Leith in which he scored 39 goals in 101 games. Record Sport understands the Lions will pay an initial £1.4m fee - but that the deal contains add-ons that could eventually boost that by £800,000.
Hibs will also stand to bank a future windfall through a sell-on in excess of 10 per cent - although a similar agreement with Nisbet’s last club Dunfermline will require to be handed over to the Pars when he departs Leith. The frontman, who had a year left on his deal in Leith, is on international duty after his spectacular form on return from an ACL injury won him a recall from Steve Clarke for this month’s Euro qualifying double header with Norway and Georgia.
Hibs boss Lee Johnson added: “We’re disappointed to lose Nizzy after he did so well for us on his return but understand that he wanted to go on a new adventure down south. Although he will be missed, this presents a new opportunity for someone else to step into that role. We thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best in England.”
Millwall had agreed a £2.4m fee with Hibs for the 26-year-old in January and Nisbet headed to London only to change his mind on the move at the 11th hour. Explaining his decision last month he said: “It’s life-changing money. But for me just to come back from a major injury it was just about a feeling that I wanted to stay here til the end of the season or further.
“Sometimes you just get a feeling it’s not the right time to go. Maybe it was too soon after the ACL and I just wanted to get settled a bit more before I go. It was the right decision and we just need to see what happens from here. It was more down to me and how I was feeling at the time. Millwall understood that. It was about me getting that feeling that I want to come back here, keep playing and get my match sharpness and fitness again. I’ve got that now and delighted.”
Nisbet joined Hibs in July 2020 from Dunfermline Athletic and helped fire the club to a third-placed finish in the Scottish top-flight. In his first season, he scored 18 goals in all competitions and finished top scorer. He scored his first European goal in his second season, against Andorran side FC Santa Coloma, and netted nine times before a knee injury sustained against Celtic sidelined him for 10 months.
The striker returned in December and bagged 12 goals in 19 league games. Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell said: “After deciding to stay in January, Kevin informed us that he wanted to leave this summer, which we understood. Following those discussions, we had to ensure we got the best possible deal for him. We’re happy with the fee we received, and we wish him all the best for the future with Millwall.”
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