NEWPORT-BORN Christian Doidge is delighted to have got a second crack at the big time after joining Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

The Forest Green Rovers striker has moved to Edinburgh in a deal worth in excess of £250,000, having spent part of last season on loan with Bolton Wanderers.

Doidge was set to make a permanent £1m move to the Macron Stadium in January, but that collapsed as Bolton could not pay the fee.

The 26-year-old returned to Forest Green and scored 10 goals in League Two to take his tally for the campaign to 14.

And he’s been rewarded with a move to Hibs, who finished fifth in the SPL last season.

“I’ve known about the interest for about two weeks and I’m just happy that the clubs have managed to agree terms and I’m up in Edinburgh,” said Doidge, who grew up in Cwmbran and previously played for Croesyceiliog and Cwmbran Celtic.

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“Obviously, I got the move to Bolton and things didn’t work out. I had to go back to Forest Green for the remainder of the season.

“I’m glad I did it. Obviously, it was a great opportunity for me at the time and I met some great people.

“I worked really hard behind the scenes to try to get it resolved but some things are not meant to be.

“It was tough, but I got through it and I managed to pick up a bit of form towards the end of the season for Forest Green.

“I had good people around me and you’ve just got to get on with your job,” he added.

“If I’d started to moan and sulk about it, I wouldn’t have got anything done on the football field.

“I just had to get over it very quickly and just get on with the football.”

And Doidge, who had a brief trial with hometown club Newport County AFC in 2014, can’t wait to get going in the Scottish capital.

“I’m looking forward to getting my head down now and working hard,” he told Hibs TV.

“It’s a beautiful city, the stadium is really good and it’s probably the best training ground I’ve ever seen.

“It’s a really good opportunity for me to try to improve.

“The number nine shirt is always nice to have but I’ve got to work hard on the training pitch to try to get into the starting XI.

“I’ve got to earn the right to have that number nine on my back and hopefully I can help the team win and score some goals.”

Doidge is also excited to be working with Hibs manager Paul Heckingbottom, who started his career at Manchester United and was previously in charge of Barnsley and Leeds United.

“I feel like I know exactly what he wants me to do after speaking to him for about 10 seconds,” said the striker.

“He was very clear with his instructions and I think what he wants me to do really suits my game so I’m looking forward to working with him.”

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Doidge could be joined in Edinburgh by former County striker Conor Washington (above).

Hibs’ bitter rivals Hearts are keen to sign the Northern Ireland international but face stern competition from clubs in both England and Scotland.

Washington, who left Rodney Parade for Peterborough United in 2014, is available for free as his Sheffield United contract won't be renewed and a number of sides are coveting his signature.

Hearts hope the 27-year-old will choose Tynecastle ahead of clubs in England's Championship and League One.

Read more: New roles for Newport County legend David Pipe