Former Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes joined Exeter City from Sligo Rovers in August 2025 having previously spent four years with Hibernian. His arrival was supported by the 1931 Fund.

Born in County Cavan, the 26-year-old new arrival at St James’ Park had become an Aston Villa scholar/trainee on leaving school in 2015. Making three League Cup appearances for Villa - and also playing on loan for Cambridge United and Cheltenham Town - he remained at Villa Park until signing for St Mirren in November 2020. 

Featuring on a regular basis for the Buddies during the remainder of the season - when he made around thirty league and cup appearances - he switched to Hibernian in July 2021 where he was to play around fifty league games during an injury-hit four-year stay. Released in February 2025, he returned to Ireland to play for Sligo Rovers during the first-half of the new summer season before signing for Exeter City in August 2025. With his arrival supported through the 1931 Fund, Jake had earlier worked with Grecians’ manager Gary Caldwell at Hibernian where his progress had been hampered by a training ground injury caused in a tackle with the club’s manager Lee Johnson that resulted in legal action being taken by the player.  

Jake made his Grecians debut in the second game of the 2025/26 season at home to Blackpool.