Updated at 23.23
EOIN DOYLE HAS sealed a Deadline Day move to Championship side Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee that’s thought to be a seven-figure deal.
The 26-year-old Dubliner, who had spells with Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers before joining Hibernian in 2011, was wanted by several clubs having scored 25 goals for League One outfit Chesterfield this season.
Cardiff tweeted confirmation of the transfer this evening and the striker said in his first interview with the club (see below) that the move was one he “couldn’t turn down”.
Sheffield United and New York City were believed to be keen on signing the striker but Chesterfield earlier revealed that an agreement has been made with the Bluebirds.
We have reached an agreement with Cardiff after negotiating a deal we feel is good business for the club,” Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner told the club.
“Some of the money we receive will be used to reduce the club’s debt but funds are also being made available to manager Paul Cook to strengthen the squad and one or two signings are in the pipeline.”
“The difficulty is that when you have a player who’s scored 25 goals this season, you’re going to get interest,” he added on BBC Radio Sheffield.
“We have had interest from four or five clubs. Some of the offers that were made for him were miles short of our valuation and we turned them down. Cardiff came in for him, made us a couple of offers that we rejected and we came to an agreement just before midday today.
“It’s a great opportunity for Eoin. He’s contributed well since he signed from Hibernian. Paul brought him on account of playing for him at Sligo, he’s got the best out of him and he’s done tremendously well for us.”
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
