Valletta hopeful of sealing Briffa transfer today
Wellman moves to Qormi
Valletta and Sliema Wanderers yesterday concluded talks over the transfer of Roderick Briffa who is expected to complete his move to the Citizens today.
Victor Sciriha and Steve Abela, the presidents of Valletta and Sliema respectively, both confirmed to The Times that they had reached a verbal agreement on Briffa's transfer fee.
At the time of writing, Briffa had not put pen to paper on the five-year contract he had initially agreed with the Valletta president after seeking clarification on certain conditions in the package. However, all parties involved in the deal were confident that the remaining issues will be sorted out.
Briffa, 27, was expected to make his final appearance in a Sliema shirt in tomorrow's league match against Hibs but it now looks like he has had a change of heart. Provided that his transfer to Valletta is finalised today, Briffa is likely to make his debut for Paul Zammit's team in Sunday's match against Tarxien Rainbows.
Valletta will pay an undisclosed sum of money for Briffa but no other players will be part of the deal. During their discussions with the champions, Sliema enquired about the possibility of signing striker Ian Zammit on loan until the end of the season but the latter wants to stay put.
Coach Zammit has reassured the young forward that he still figures prominently in his plans and Sciriha yesterday told The Times that the 21-year-old is set to sign a new five-year deal with the Citizens.
It is also believed that Valletta may revive their interest in Ħamrun Spartans' midfielder Ryan Fenech.
For their part, Sliema are poised to increase their pool of foreigners to four after deciding to offer young Italian defender Sam Furfaro a contract until the end of the season. Malta FA regulations allow clubs to register an unlimited number of players from EU countries but only three can play at the same time.
Sliema's foreign players at present are Romanian defender Lucian Dronca, Costa Rican-born striker Victor Coto and Australian midfielder Daniel Saverino, with the latter two having an Italian passport.
Stephen Wellman yesterday reported for his first training session with Qormi after completing his transfer from Marsaxlokk. The 26-year-old, who can play in a variety of positions, has agreed a three-year contract with the Premier League newcomers.
The deal between Marsaxlokk and Qormi means that Wellman will not have to wait another three weeks to return to competitive football after being hit with a 28-day suspension by his former club in the wake of the Blues' 4-3 defeat to Ħamrun Spartans. Wellman is now set to make his bow for Qormi in Sunday's league match against Msida St Joseph.