Former Hibs star leaves latest club 'a legend' as he becomes free agent after exit confirmed
The former Hibs striker is on the move after his exit from his latest club was confirmed.
A former Hibs striker is seeking a new club after his release from a team where he’s made himself a ‘legend.’
Forest Green Rovers have been under the management of Robbie Savage this term but have been unable to get back out the National League and into League Two via the play-offs. Christian Doidge has been back with them for a second stint since leaving Hibs in 2024, having already written his name into their history, scoring at Wembley Stadium against Tranmere Rovers in 2017’s play-off final to help secure their first-ever crack at the EFL.
Doidge has not been a regular this term and while playing 20 times across all competitions, he’s featured for just 565 minutes, scoring once. He now bows out of Forest Green Rovers after 84 strikes and 22 assists across 206 matches. Doidge made himself a reliable goal-getter at Hibs during a five-year stay in Leith that included a loan with Kilmarnock, scoring 41 goals with 13 assists, while making 148 appearances. It’s comfortably the most he’s played for any side outwith Forest Green.
What former Hibs player has left Forest Green Rovers?
A club statement reads: “Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, we can now confirm the retained & released list. The Club would like to express their gratitude to those leaving for their service, and wish them all the best for the future. Below is a summary of all players in the squad. The following players will be released by the club: Sean Long, Ryan Inniss, Christian Doidge, Liam Sercombe, Harvey Bunker, Harry Cardwell, Keon Sanniola.”
Boss Savage spoke of the season Doidge has just been involved with and the reception he got at their final pre-play-off home match versus Morecambe: He told Stroud Times: “Credit Doidgey you know, that ovation. He’s a legend of the football club. You know, I think we were all wanted him to score. You know, you never know, he might score in the play-offs, but you know, his last home game.
“Credit to himself, to his family, he had his baby with him, but what a great day for us. Well, you want to see the way I play. You know, I don’t want to go sideways and backwards. I love attacking dynamic.
Robbie Savage on Forest Green style
“You know, football will make mistakes, will make errors because they’re young players. But what’s that, 82 goals, 13 more than last year, 23 wins, one more than last year? Yes, we haven’t got as many points. I credit the team last year, finishing 3rd on 83, we finished 7th on 81. We’re the star of football, the entertainment value is what the owner wanted and that’s what he’s got.
“The emotion of this league to finish in seventh and 81 points is incredible. But I want to pay credit to my team. You know, the bravery we’ve done to change everything has been immense. And that couldn’t happen without Dale Vince. Dale, for this football club, is the football club, but he doesn’t like to take credit for his support and the way he backs his managers, he’s quite remarkable.”