City strike Cadillac deal

After several months without a major shirt sponsor, Premier League club Valletta yesterday ended their drought by securing a one-year deal with FAPI Motors, the Attard firm which imports luxury cars Cadillac.

The sponsorship agreement was reached during an eventful off-season period for the Citizens who have been busy on the transfer market ever since a new committee, led by new president Victor Sciriha, was voted in office last month.

The Citizens have last tasted glory in 2001 when completing an unprecedented six-trophy haul.

However, the buzz is back in the city after the signings of Stefan Giglio, Brian Agius, Josef Mifsud, Heiner Backhaus, Andrew Hogg, Kenneth Scicluna and the headline-grabbing return of striker Sebastian Monesterolo following a six-month stint in the Middle East with Kuwait Sporting Club.

Yesterday, talks were led by Sciriha and club officials Anton Abela and Michael Palmier. They discussed the terms of the deal with FAPI Motors director Herman Mallia, Financial Controller David Gauci and Marketing Manager Marica Mizzi.

FAPI Motors, officially appointed as the authorised dealer for Cadillac and Corvette in March 2005, is part of the FAMALCO Group which is based in Malta.

Sources close to the club gave very few details of the Cadillac sponsorship but the news will be made official in the next couple of weeks when Valletta complete their activity in the transfer market and the new signings will be paraded in a meeting with the press to launch the new season.

Until then, the Citizens are expected to recruit another foreign player, probably a striker.

Mexican on trial

In fact, a Mexican forward will soon start a trial with Valletta, just in time for a series of friendlies in the first week of August, all at the Centenary Stadium.

Valletta will play Marsaxlokk (August 1), Hamrun (August 6), Mqabba (August 8) and Msida (August 10). Another warm-up against Birkirkara, pencilled for August 3, is still to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, club captain Gilbert Agius will decide today whether to accept Enkopings' offer for a loan transfer until the end of the season.

He is expected back in Malta from Sweden tomorrow to inform the club of his future plans.