Valletta agree deal for Pietà's Hogg

Valletta's frenetic transfer campaign continued yesterday when they wrapped up talks with Pietà Hotspurs for the transfer of Andrew Hogg.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper, a member of Malta's national squad, had been widely tipped to join a club in Italy but a combination of bold interest from the Citizens and the lack of a concrete offer from overseas, prompted Hogg to pledge his future to Valletta.

The Citizens, spearheaded by new president Victor Sciriha, acted swiftly yesterday to apply the finishing touches to the transfer of Hogg who has agreed a five-year contract with Valletta.

Anton Abela, the general secretary of Valletta, confirmed Hogg's signing.

"We are delighted to announce that Andrew Hogg has agreed to join Valletta FC," Abela told The Times.

"Hogg will sign a five-year deal after our club reached agreement with Pietà Hotspurs for his transfer."

Edward Schembri, the Pietà president, also confirmed that they are in agreement with Valletta over Hogg's move.

The imminent arrival of Hogg casts further doubts about Saviour Darmanin's future with Valletta. His one-year deal with the Whites expired at the end of last season.

Hogg is Valletta's fifth signing so far. The Citizens have already finalised deals for former players Stefan Giglio and Sebastian Monesterolo, German midfielder Heiner Backhaus and defender Josef Mifsud.

Earlier this week, Valletta also concluded discussions with skipper Gilbert Agius who has signed a new four-year contract. However, there could be another interesting twist in Agius's career as the Malta skipper is believed to have been offered the chance to join an unidentified foreign club on a short-term deal.

Valletta's flurry of transfers will surely not end with Hogg's arrival as they have stepped up their efforts to sign Nigerian striker Ibrahim Babatunde.

Babatunde is at the centre of transfer speculation amid reports that he has rejected an offer by Msida St Joseph to sign a new contract.

Widely acclaimed as one of the most exciting foreign players in the Premier League in the last two seasons, Babatunde is also a target for Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara but Valletta appear to have stolen a decisive march on their rivals.

Grilled about Valletta's bid to sign Babatunde, Abela said: "We are firmly interested in Babatunde to the extent that we already have an agreement with his agents over his signing."

Babatunde's contract with Msida expired at the end of last season but the Saints would still be entitled to compensation if the Nigerian were to join a Maltese club.

Msida, who on Tuesday announced the signing of St George's duo Lawrence Mizzi and Clive Brincat on loan for one year, are facing the prospect of having to recruit new foreign players next season.

Zongo for trial

Daniel Nwoke left Msida for Finnish club Tampere United in the latter stages of last season, Babatunde's future with the club is in the balance and Ousseni Zongo, the Burkina Faso winger, is expected to have a trial with Portuguese club Uniao Leira in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Floriana are set to extend Ryan Newell's loan spell by another year after they agreed terms with Mosta. Newell is likely to be joined by Mosta team-mate Bryan Agius at Floriana next season. Agius is also expected to seal a one-year loan move to the Greens.

Branko Nisevic is another player expected to change clubs this summer. News that contract talks between Nisevic and Valletta have stalled has alerted other clubs, namely Sliema and Floriana.

The Blues are thought to be leading the race to re-sign Nisevic, who is expected to apply for Maltese citizenship in the coming weeks, on a short-term contract. Sliema were the first club Nisevic played for six years ago but his stay with the Wanderers did not last long.

Nonetheless, the Serbian defender managed to make the grade in Maltese football during successful spells with Hibs, Pietà and lately Valletta.