Sammut agrees five-year contract with Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk's bold policy to lure Malta's brightest prospects to their fold was further underlined yesterday when Kevin Sammut agreed to join them on a five-year deal.

After a positive one-year loan spell with FA Trophy finalists Msida St Joseph, the 24-year-old Sammut was initially tipped to sign a new contract with champions Sliema Wanderers.

Sliema were keen on retaining Sammut but Marsaxlokk's lucrative offer and emphasis on building their squad around a core of young players look to have swayed Sammut's decision in their favour.

As Sammut's contract with Sliema finished at the end of the season, he was entitled to talk to other clubs. The announcement that Sammut has decided to join Marsaxlokk automatically implies that the latter have also accepted to pay Sliema a transfer fee which is calculated according to the MFA parameters.

Victor Sciriha, the Marsaxlokk chief, confirmed that negotiations with Sammut have been concluded.

"After long talks, we have reached an agreement with Kevin Sammut for the next five years," Sciriha told The Times.

Sammut, who has been named in Malta's squad for the World Cup Group Eight qualifiers against Sweden and Iceland, believes his move to Marsaxlokk will benefit his career.

"Marsaxlokk already have a strong squad and have ambitions to become one of the most prominent clubs in the Premier League," Sammut told The Times. "From a personal viewpoint, this move represents a new challenge.

"I also feel that I have more of a chance of holding down a regular place in the Marsaxlokk team than with Sliema.

"More first-team football will surely enhance my prospects of establishing myself as a regular player with the national team."

Sammut is the second up-and-coming player to pledge his future to Marsaxlokk after Floriana's Malta U-21 goalkeeper Reuben Gauci also gave his nod to join the southerners who finished fifth in the league last season.

Arrigo to stay on as Sliema president

News that Sammut will not rejoin Sliema Wanderers will come as a disappointment to the club fans but a significant close-season tonic has already been delivered to the Blues' faithful.

During a social activity at the New Dolmen Hotel on Sunday, Robert Arrigo told guests that he intends to stay on as Sliema president next season.

After a third consecutive league title, the Sliema boss had intimated that he may give up the presidency but much to the fans' delight, he has now committed himself to the club for at least another year.

Arrigo and his close allies at the helm of the Wanderers are engaged in efforts to keep the backbone of their championship-winning squad and to bring in reinforcements.

Nigerian goalkeeper Murphy Akanji and former Malta midfielder Joe Brincat will bid to help Sliema defend their title next season after signing new one-year contracts.

Mauro Di Lello, the Italian defender who spent two seasons with Pietà Hotspurs, has also sorted out personal terms with Sliema.

Other transfer targets for the champions are Haruna Doda of Birkirkara and Gareth Sciberras, the Pietà Hotspurs midfielder.

The latest name to be linked with a potential move to Sliema is Andrew Cohen, the Hibernians forward.