Callum Flanagan, a former Manchester United youth team striker, yesterday turned up at the Melita ground to start a one-week trial with Valletta.
The 22-year-old, widely regarded as a bright prospect during his teens, is eager to get his career back on track after being convicted of dangerous driving three years ago, an offence that brought his association with United to a premature end.
Maltese champions Valletta are looking to recruit new foreign players after the overseas trio they had last season sought pastures new. Nigerian striker Frank Temile has completed a move to Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev, Argentine striker Sebastian Monesterolo has signed for AEK Larnaca in Cyprus and German midfielder Heiner Backhaus is reportedly attracting interest from clubs in Northern Ireland and Hong Kong.
After finalising negotiations for their four Maltese transfer targets, namely Marsaxlokk duo Jamie Pace and Cleaven Frendo, Luke Dimech, who was on the books of English fourth division club Macclesfield last season, and Hibs' midfielder Edmond Agius, the Citizens are now devoting all their energies to their search for new foreigners.
Paul Zammit, the coach who steered Valletta to their first Premier League in seven years, is known to be adamant on bringing in high-quality replacements for the three foreigners he relied upon last season.
Flanagan is not the only foreign player training with the Citizens at present. Zammit is also assessing the qualities of a Brazilian forward by the name of Marco Aurelio, Bulgarian Ivo Ginev and Anton Robinson, an 18-year-old English striker.
Valletta, who will be playing in the first qualifying round of the Champions League next month, have also sounded out three highly-rated Nigerian players about joining their team for a trial. Defender Robert Egbeta, Solomon Owello, an offensive midfielder, and Sunday Gabriel, a forward, were expected to land in Malta last week but their arrival has been delayed due to visa-related problems.
The Citizens are hopeful that the three Nigerian youngsters will receive the clearance to fly to Malta in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Birkirkara, the 2007-08 FA Trophy winners, are poised to make one change to their foreigners' line-up for next season after they reportedly failed to reach agreement with Ivory Coast striker Davy Amed Sylla over a new contract.
Daniele Saponara, an Italian forward, was due to land in Malta yesterday with a view to discussing a move to the Stripes.
Ħamrun Spartans are also looking to sign two new foreign players after they decided not to offer new deals to Nigerian midfielder Precious Monye and Serbian defender Branislav Timotic.
Zoran Levnaic, who played for Floriana last season, is being tipped to join the Spartans who have also set their sights on a Brazilian forward, Ronaldo Paulista. The 29-year-old Paulista has not played in Malta before.
Another summer move looms for Etienne Barbara after it emerged that Sport Club Verl, who ply in Germany's third division, are interested in signing the Malta striker.
Barbara, who only joined Sliema from Birkirkara last summer, has long been trying to secure a move abroad and it looks like he is now close to fulfilling his dream as talks between SC Verle and the Wanderers are believed to be at an advanced stage.
Andrè Schembri, who has just ended a loan stint with Eintracht Braunschweig, will continue to play his trade in the same German third division league next season after agreeing a one-year loan move to FC Carl Zeiss Jena.
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Marsaxlokk are also seeking to bolster their squad for next season. The former Malta champions have already agreed terms with Mqabba's Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira as a replacement for Aleksandar Madzar who has not been offered a new contract.
Valletta goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin has also been mooted as a top target for Marsaxlokk who also covet Sliema midfielder Roderick Bajada.