Elding to Hibernian: Inevitable Transfer Explained

It feels inevitable, but saying ⁤goodbye ‍is still ‍hard, especially with what-ifs ‌lingering.

Sligo Rovers will need to plan for⁢ the season without ​Owen⁢ Elding, a⁣ standout player from last yearS ⁣SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

On Tuesday, news broke that the 19-year-old striker is moving to Scottish⁤ side Hibernian. Elding,the son⁣ of former Sligo forward Anthony Elding,scored 16 goals‌ in all competitions last ⁤season,many of‌ them⁣ breathtaking.

Manager John Russell‌ would have preferred to build this season’s plans around Elding. Though, the young player, currently gaining irish citizenship, is ⁤heading ‌north, and Russell believes Hibs are getting a real talent.

“Both⁤ clubs have agreed a ‍deal, it’s just the formalities⁢ now and getting his medical done,” Russell told RTÉ Sport ⁤at Wednesday’s League of Ireland season launch.

“it was always‍ inevitable⁣ he was going to ​go at some point”

Sligo Rovers manager John Russell speaks to @RafDLeitrim ⁢ about Owen Elding’s impending move to Hibs: https://t.co/lIjfrj8izQ pic.twitter.com/SL87qGMQAd

– ⁢RTÉ ⁤Sport (@RTEsport) January 28, 2026

“Losing a player ‌of his calibre so close​ to the start of the ​season is tough, ​unluckily. But it was always⁣ going to happen‍ eventually.He’s a top-class player, young player ‍of the year, in the team of the year, and now ‍the challenge is replacing those goals.

“I can’t say enough⁣ good things about Owen as a‌ person. He came‌ through the academy and straight⁢ into the first team. What a kid. He has a great character and ‌mentality; he’ll do very well.”

Russell believes Elding has⁢ the potential to reach “the very ‌top,” pointing ​to his ‍dedication off the pitch.

“It’s no coincidence he achieved what he did last year and got ‍those nominations. his ceiling is really high,” he said.

The reported €400k fee⁢ will help, ⁤but Elding is ​now part of​ Sligo’s history, and the focus for​ 2026 is to⁢ improve.