Ambitious Marsaxlokk determined to fight for major honours

Spurred on by an ambition to be among the main challengers for the top domestic honours, Marsaxlokk have been one of the busiest clubs in this summer's transfer market.

In a period of three weeks, the southseasiders have managed to bolster their squad with the addition of seven valid players who are expected to help the team make a flying start once the race for the league championship kicks off next month.

Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira has moved to the former Malta champions after his impressive campaign with relegated Mqabba last season. He joins fellow countryman Renato Conceicao and Argentine forward Julio Alcorse who have been retained for another term.

Marsaxlokk have also acquired two experienced players in Malta defender Brian Said, who has changed clubs after a long spell with Sliema Wanderers, and goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin, who last season was on the books of Valletta.

Christian Cassar has ended his long association with Floriana to move south as a replacement for Jamie Pace who has signed for Valletta along with Cleaven Frendo. Defenders Clive Brincat and Arnold Buttigieg have been signed from St George's and St Patrick respectively.

Speaking at the presentation of the club's new signings yesterday afternoon, Robert Micallef, the hard-working Marsaxlokk president, told the media that their heavy involvement in the transfer market was aimed at boosting their chances of challenging for the big trophies.

"Given the quality of the players we have lured to our club this summer, we certainly expect to be among the leading candidates for the major honours this season," Micallef said.

"The past three weeks have been very hectic for our committee as we were determined to reinforce our squad in time to register the new players for our UEFA Cup commitments. I am convinced that we have brought in a group of top-quality players who can turn Marsaxlokk into a major force in Maltese football."

"I believe that another great coup for our club was the confirmation of Brian Talbot as head coach," Micallef added. "The members of our committee have full faith in his capabilities and we all believe that his experience and know-how of the game will help our club to achieve the desired success next season."

On his part, Talbot said he was amazed at how quickly the club moved to secure the transfer targets.

"I'm positively surprised at the speed with which our committee moved to bring in new players," Talbot said.

"This is a huge advantage for us as the team can prepare better for the new campaign and the new arrivals will have more time to settle within our set-up.

"I feel that Marsaxlokk are heading for a very exciting period and hopefully the players and I will be up to the job to give our fans plenty of satisfaction."

After this week's Euro Challenge Cup commitments, Marsaxlokk will be involved in a tough UEFA Cup tie against Croatian side Slovan Koprivinca.

"We know that against Slovan Koprivinca it's going to be very tough for us," Talbot commented.

"Croatian football has improved a lot over the past few years and we are expecting to play against a very strong team. Our target is to try and contain them as much as we can in the first leg in Malta next Thursday so that we keep the tie open ahead of our trip to Croatia.

"Our plan is very straightforward. We're not going to try and play open football as we know from our experience that we can't do that in Europe but I can only promise that we will try to make life very difficult for our opponents."

Printing giants Konica Minolta have been confirmed as the club's main sponsors for the forthcoming campaign while Eurosport are Marsaxlokk's new kit suppliers. Transport company Passalacqua and Gypsum.com are the other sponsors of the Premier League club.