AEK Larnaca pull plug on Hogg deal

Andrew Hogg's proposed move to AEK Larnaca looks to have fallen through after the Cypriot club opted to sign a Bulgarian goalkeeper on a free transfer.

The 23-year-old Hogg had high hopes of joining AEK Larnaca after the latter reached a verbal agreement with the Maltese champions to sign him on loan for one year with an option of making the move permanent.

Sources yesterday told The Times that Hogg, who had even agreed personal terms with AEK Larnaca, has been informed that the Cypriot club pulled the plug on the deal at the eleventh hour after hiring the services of a 34-year-old Bulgarian goalkeeper who was out of contract.

News that Hogg is now set to stay put will come as a relief to Valletta coach Paul Zammit and the entire City clan as the Malta goalkeeper emerged as one of the team's most crucial players in last season's title success.

As Valletta continue their preparations for their Champions League commitments and the new season, Zammit and the club hierarchy were eager to resolve their goalkeeping dilemma as quickly as possible. It is believed that the champions had already drawn up a list of candidates to replace Hogg but they will be delighted that their no.1 goalkeeper is now likely to stay.

Nevertheless, Valletta are still likely to look for another goalkeeper after Saviour Darmanin decided to end his spell with the Citizens. The former Pietà goalkeeper is widely expected to wear Marsaxlokk's colours next season after agreeing a one-year deal with the southerners.

Meanwhile, Premier League club Ħamrun Spartans have all but concluded their search for two new foreigners after they agreed personal terms with Serbian midfielder Zoran Levnaic and a Brazilian forward by the name of Ronaldo Paulista.

Levnaic, who was on the books of Floriana last season, and Paulista, who played in his home country in 2007-08, are expected to sign one-year deals with the Spartans who have confirmed Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong as one of their three overseas players.

Reports claim that the Spartans are interested in signing Floriana's Manolito Micallef and Sliema Wanderers defender Ian Azzopardi.

Marsaxlokk, who have already secured the signing of Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira, are prepared to make a bid for Sliema midfielder Roderick Bajada but their approach is likely to be rebuffed by the Wanderers.

Steve Abela, the new Sliema president, yesterday confirmed to The Times that Alex Muscat has signed a three-year contract extension with the Wanderers.