Striker Kieron Bowie’s move to Hibs expected to yield six-figure sell-on boost for former club Raith Rovers

The Kirkcaldy-born 21-year-old left Raith for English Premier League side Fulham in July 2020 and had been based south of the border ever since, initially with the Londoners and on loan to English Football League Two team Northampton Town from July 2022 until this summer.

Bowie was recruited by Raith from Glenrothes Strollers as a teenager after being scouted by then manager John McGlynn, making his first-team debut at the age of 16 in February 2019.

That was one of four appearances for the Kirkcaldy club in the 2018/19 season and he went on to make another 35 in all competitions the following campaign, scoring ten goals and helping them earn promotion to their current Scottish Championship home.

The Fifer, a seven-times-capped Scottish under-21 international, has signed a four-year deal with Hibs, subject to international clearance, for an undisclosed fee described by the Edinburgh outfit as “significant” and believed to be around £600,000.

Hibs head coach David Gray is delighted to have secured Bowie’s signature, saying: “Kieron is an exciting Scottish talent, and we’re thrilled to bring him to the club.

“He can play anywhere across the front three and his pace and power will give us an extra dimension going forward. He has all the attributes to be a success in this league.

“Players of Kieron’s ability and potential are always in high demand, so to sign of player of his calibre shows the ambition that we’ve got here.”

Sporting director Malky Mackay added: “This is a transfer that we’ve been working on for some time and we’re delighted to get it done.

“Kieron has performed well since his breakthrough season with Raith and will continue to get better and better as his career develops.

“He’s a really ambitious young man and I look forward to seeing him in Hibs green and white.”

That feeling is mutual, with Bowie telling the club’s website: “I am buzzing to be here and I can’t wait to get started.

“For my family, my partner and two little girls, that was one of the big selling points – to come here, be part of this club and move closer to home.

“There was a lot of interest from down south and I was in that mindset that I would stay in England, then when Hibs came in, I straight away said to my agent ‘that’s where I want to be’ and that is why it has moved so quickly from there.

“To sign permanently was another big factor and to make somewhere my home. I spent two years on loan with Northampton Town, which was a big part of my development, and I am forever thankful to all the staff and players that made me feel so welcome, but I think it was the right time for me to move on and start that next chapter in my career with Hibs.

“Scottish football definitely suits my playing style. I am a physical, powerful and strong player. I don’t have a bad touch either, so that helps as well.

“I know Scottish football very well and I have always kept an eye on results in Scotland.

“I have played here before – I know it is a rougher game up here compared to down south, so I am ready for the challenge.

“I like to bash and batter people about. I enjoy that side of the game too. It is exciting.

“When you play against bigger defenders, it is a challenge, but I relish that challenge and want to prove myself and show that I am not going to get bullied by anyone.”

Bowie also reckons his versatility will come in useful at Easter Road, adding: “The majority of my time I played on the right wing, but the times when I did play through the middle, I had a good spell scoring goals.

“Striker is my main position, I think, but I can play anywhere across the front three.

“I am happy to be versatile and play wherever the manager needs me.

“I would say I am a really powerful player, and I like to show off a few skills now and again.”

Bowie’s return to Scotland is also set to yield a six-figure windfall for Raith as his £150,000 transfer to Fulham from Stark’s Park four years ago included a sell-on clause reported to be a fifth of any further fee, so a fee of £750,000 would have seen them double their money and if the figure of £600,000 being bandied about to bring him to Hibs proves to be correct, the promotion-chasing Fifers will only be £30,000 short of that, standing to pocket £120,000, a welcome budget boost as the end of the summer transfer window nears.

Bowie made his debut for Hibs during their 2-0 league loss at home to Celtic on Sunday, coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute for Mykola Kukharevych.