It had been announced in March that the 33-year-old, who's set to be a key figure for Australia at the World Cup, would be leaving the Scottish Premiership club at the end of the season, and the star winger confirmed as much as he tried to hold back the tears in his farewell press conference on Friday.
But the club revealed less than an hour before Saturday's final Premiership match of the season against Motherwell, expected to be Boyle's last for the club, that he'd changed his mind and signed a new one-year deal.
"Why did I change my mind?" mused the winger, who's become such a favourite at Easter Road with his 110 goals stretching back 11 years.
"I think just sitting down, realising and speaking to family about how much I'm appreciated here and how much I've given, how much I still want to achieve," said the Scottish-born Socceroo.
"And ultimately it came from my daughter. I just took her to bed – and she normally wants her mummy. She sat up and she was like 'are you sad you're leaving Hibs?', and I went, 'yeah'.
"Something flicked in the back of my brain. 'I can't let the place go, if I'm honest with you'. I love the place. Pulling on this shirt.
"I'm in a position where thousands and thousands of people would trade with me. I get that opportunity to put on that shirt and give my all every week. I wouldn't trade it for the world."
Boyle has had a fine season, netting 11 goals in 52 appearances, and his decision means that any idea that he might feature in A-League Men action can be put on hold for now.
"I think I've still got another three or four years in me," he said. "I look after myself.
"It would be nice to finish my career here, but I don't think I will. I've said in the past that I would like to play in Australia.
"I believe I've still got my best years ahead of me. I know people think he's in his 30s, he's lost a yard and all that, but that motivates me to prove people wrong.
"I certainly haven't lost a yard. I wish I could get the stats for the training – I'm still statistically the fastest."
Boyle's news shocked teammates and family alike.
"I didn't even tell my mum and dad that it was going to get announced," he said. "They were all coming down from Aberdeen obviously thinking it was my farewell. A lot of people did.
"But I thought I'd just keep it a secret."
"Hopefully I can bring my game to another level, go to the World Cup and achieve what I want to achieve."
With PA
