BEN RAMAGE

St Mirren insist they did all they could to keep club captain Kyle Magennis, including offering him a bumper new four-year contract. Just before the transfer window slammed shut last night, the 22-year-old ended his 17-year stay with the Buddies after reuniting with former boss Jack Ross at Hibs.

While the Saints have received a “substantial six-figure sum” for the Scotland under-21 international the club are adamant they wanted to keep the academy product in Paisley.

A St Mirren spokesman said: “The club can confirm it reluctantly agreed a deal with Hibernian Football Club for the transfer of Kyle Magennis.

“The club had been working for over a year on a new deal for Kyle and offered him a new four-year deal on improved terms.

“However, it became increasingly clear Kyle saw his future away from St Mirren. After the initial approaches from Hibernian were rejected, Kyle made it clear to the club his desire to move.

“With this in mind the club made the difficult decision to accept an improved offer and allow Kyle to make the move.

“The club shares the disappointment the fans and all connected with St Mirren will be feeling with this news. The club would also like to place on record its thanks to Kyle for all the contributions he made in his time at St Mirren and wish him the very best for his future.”

Magennis had been with the Buddies for 17 years before signing a five-year deal with Hibs yesterday, joining the club’s youth academy at the age of just five.

He made his St Mirren debut against his new club back in October 2016, scoring his first goal against Queen of the South in December of that year.

Speaking to hibernianfc.co.uk Magennis said: “I’m really happy to be a Hibernian player. It’s a proud moment for me and my family.

“Everyone knows what St Mirren means to me as a club but this was a challenge that excited me and that I really wanted to take on.”