Valletta bolster defensive ranks with Borg capture

Promising defender Steve Borg will don the colours of Valletta FC this season after signing a five-year deal with the Citizens.

Borg had been weighing up offers from a host of Premier League clubs after his contract with Division One side Mosta expired at the end of last season.

Sliema Wanderers were thought to be leading the chase for the Mosta defender while Hibs had also declared an interest in Borg who worked with coach Mark Miller during the latter's reign with the Malta U-21 squad.

Birkirkara were also expected to make an approach for Borg as Paul Zammit, the Stripes' new coach, is known to be a long-time admirer of the towering defender.

Valletta had not been linked with Borg but the sale of Josef Mifsud to Sliema Wanderers is believed to have prompted the Citizens to seek defensive reinforcements. Their sights turned to Borg who yesterday put pen to paper on a five-year deal, well-placed sources told The Sunday Times.

Valletta also completed the signing of Geert den Ouden yesterday. The 32-year-old Dutch forward, who came on as a second-half substitute in Valletta's 2-0 defeat to Sliema Wanderers in Friday's Euro Cup match, has signed a one-year contract.

Meanwhile, Jordi Cruyff, the first of Valletta's close-season signings, missed Friday's match after being given permission by coach Ton Caanen to travel to the UK to attend the wedding of a close friend. Cruyff is expected to return to Malta tomorrow.