Irish striker Doyle is Fenlon’s first signing

Doyle joins Hibs as a free agent, his contract with Sligo Rovers having recently expired, but he will not be eligible to turn out for his new club until the transfer window opens and international clearance can be given. Hibs could face a race against time if they want to complete the necessary paperwork before the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road on 2 January. Doyle, 23, is a former Ireland youth international. He scored 25 goals for Sligo Rovers in the season just ended, breaking a club scoring record which had stood since the 1930s.

He previously played for Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers, and was at first used as a wide player by Sligo. The move to centre forward this year paid dividends, however, and he ended the season as one of the most prized players in the League of Ireland.

Aberdeen and Ipswich were also interested in the six-foot redhead, but Hibs moved quickly to offer Doyle a deal after he impressed during a brief trial period. Fenlon, the manager of Bohemians until his move to Edinburgh last month, knows what Doyle is capable of, and any lingering doubts he may have had were dispelled when the player scored as a trialist in a reserve game against St Johnstone earlier this week.

Hibs appear unconcerned by the possibility that Sligo will seek a compensation fee for Doyle. Although his contract had run out, as an under-24 player he could be subject to Uefa regulations. “He is under 24 and we would seek clarification from the FAI and Uefa about the need to pay a training and development fee,” Rovers spokesman Keith O’Dwyer said.

Any thoughts Fenlon may have had of making do with the strikers who were on the books at Hibs when he arrived have obviously been dispelled since. Garry O’Connor scored during his first match in charge of his new club, away to Motherwell, but that game was called off at half-time because of a small electrical fire.

Hibs have played and completed two matches since, failing to score in either of them – a 2-0 home defeat by Rangers and a 1-0 loss at Aberdeen. While welcoming Doyle into the club, Hibs are likely to say goodbye to at least one striker during the window. Junior Agogo is expected to depart, but Hibs still hope to extend Leigh Griffiths’ loan spell from Wolves or make it a permanent move.