English hitman leaves Easter Road

Hibs forward Clayton Donaldson has today joined English League One side Crewe Alexandra.

The 24-year-old former York City and Halifax Town hitman has signed a three-year-deal at Gresty Road and could make his debut this weekend, should Alexandra receive his international clearance from the SFA.

Donaldson has moved for an initial £150,000 and the Hibees will receive another £50,000 after X amount of appearances for the Alex.

Oldham Athletic, Darlington and also SPL side Inverness Caledonian Thistle had been keeping track on the player's situation at Easter Road.

Donaldson scored 6 goals in 18 appearances last season for the Hibees but struggled to oust Scotland international Steven Fletcher and Colin Nish from the striking roles at E.R.

Donaldson becomes the latest casualty of Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen's cull at Easter Road.

Mickael Antoine-Curier, Keegan Ayre, Dermott McCaffrey, Patrick Noubissie and Abdel Zarabi have all recently left Easter Road.

Brian Kerr, Zibi Malkowski and Thierry Gatheussi are also thought to be on their way out as big Mixu looks to trim his squad.

Donaldson arrived at the Hibees last summer on a pre-contract agreement, three-year-deal from Conference side York City.

Crewe boss Steve Holland was delighted with his capture, and speaking to the official Crewe Alexandra website, he said:

"We are delighted to have finally completed the transfer. We still need International clearance from the Scottish FA but that is usually a formality. It is something you need when players move across the border and hopefully we can get that before the weekend, so Clayton could be included against Walsall.

"He is a forward we have been tracking for a while, ever since we went to watch him play for York. His goal scoring record there was fantastic and if you look at the games he actually started and the goals he scored in Scotland then that isn't too bad either.

"We have had to preserve with this one a bit but we have finally got there. He is 6' 1", has a presence without being an out-an-out target man, but is the quick one. He likes to run in behind defences and threaten the back.

"Shaun Miller is as good as anyone we have here at doing that and Clayton will give us another option up there. His goal scoring record at all the levels he has played is good. He is another finisher and he possesses good feet."

Donaldson struggled at Easter Road since his move from York City last summer, but all of us a Hibernian-Mad would like to wish him well at his new club.

Thanks once again to Alan Rennie and the Hibernian Interactive team for the use of the photo.

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