Floriana trio sign new contracts

Floriana's preparations for the 2007-2008 Premier League campaign received a boost with the news that three key players have agreed new deals with the club.

Trevor Cilia and Christian Cassar, two former Malta U-21 internationals, have both signed on for another year with the Greens after their contracts expired at the end of last season. Midfielder Manolito Micallef has successfully concluded talks with the Floriana hierarchy over a new two-year deal.

The Greens have yet to name their three foreign players for next season. At present, coach Danilo Doncic is assessing the qualities of two Serbian players and one from England. The three trialists are expected to be given a run-out in a friendly match against Hamrun Spartans tomorrow evening at the Luxol Ground.

Valletta, Floriana's bitter rivals and opponents on the opening day of the 2007-2008 Premier League, played a friendly match against a visiting Scottish team on Wednesday. The Citizens, who have Mexican striker Hernan Fernandez on trial, won 6-0.

Marsaxlokk are set to venture into the transfer market over the next few weeks in a bid to strengthen their squad. Sources have told The Times that William Camenzuli, the out-of-favour Birkirkara midfielder, is on his way to Marsaxlokk. The Stripes are reportedly prepared to exchange Camenzuli for Shaun Bajada plus a sum of money.

Branko Nisevic is another potential target for Marsaxlokk who are keen to fill the huge void left by Luke Dimech's departure to Macclesfield Town. Sliema Wanderers remain favourites to re-sign Nisevic but they could face competition from Marsaxlokk for the veteran Serbian defender who has applied for Maltese citizenship.

The Malta champions are also expected to intensify their search for new foreign players. Brazilian Andre Rocha Da Silva, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Hibs, has finally returned from his holidays and is due to start training with Talbot's team today.

Wendell Gomes is also being linked with a return to Marsaxlokk. The Brazilian striker was expected to stay with Floriana but sources have told The Times that Gomes is tempted by the idea of rejoining the Blues.

Until a few weeks ago, striker Ibrahim Babatunde was at the centre of a tug-of-war between a clutch of leading Premier League clubs, namely Sliema, Valletta and Birkirkara but interest in the Nigerian striker appears to have waned after he left the country for a trial with an unnamed club.

Babatunde's future remains unclear though. Reports in the local media earlier this month claimed that Babatunde had sealed a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray but neither the club nor the player have confirmed the move.

Sources have now told The Times that, up to a few days ago, Babatunde was having a trial with Denizlispor, another Turkish club.

Ousseni Zongo, Babatunde's former team-mate at Msida, is close to signing a contract with Portuguese club Uniao Leiria.

The Burkina Faso winger is still contracted to Msida but the latter have already agreed a transfer fee with Uniao for Zongo.