Valletta yesterday underlined their ability to wrap up transfer deals in a short time after completing the signing of striker Terrence Scerri from Hibernians.

Scerri, 25, will head to Holland this morning to join Valletta's training camp after sealing his move to the Citizens on a five-year deal yesterday.

"I'm delighted to be joining Valletta, one of the biggest clubs in Malta," Scerri told The Times.

"Valletta have built a very strong team, one that is surely capable of challenging for all the major honours in local football. I'm looking forward to achieving success with Valletta, a team I've always admired because of their winning tradition and their great support."

Scerri would not be drawn into disclosing the reasons behind his departure from Hibernians, only a few months after helping the team win the Premier League title following a neck-and-neck race with Valletta.

"I grew up with Hibs and had a great time with the club but I felt the time was right to seek a new challenge," Scerri said.

Scerri turned out for Hibs in two of their three pre-season Euro Cup matches but was not in the squad for their Champions League qualifiers against Montenegro's FK Mogren amid murmurs of a rift with the club.

News that Scerri, the Premier League top marksman last season with 26 goals, was adamant to quit Hibs after falling out with the club administration, was always bound to capture the interest of the top clubs in the Premier League.

Sliema Wanderers were thought to be in pole position to capture Scerri after making an official approach to Hibs for the towering forward but their chances receded from the moment Valletta entered the fray.

"I know that Sliema Wanderers were eager to sign me but once Valletta decided they wanted me, they moved quickly to agree terms with Hibs," Scerri said.

With Valletta focusing on their Europa League commitments for the best part of July, transfer issues were put on the backburner but sources had told The Times weeks ago that Scerri had indicated his willingness to join the Citizens.

Even Ton Caanen, Valletta's coach, had sought to gain more information on Scerri's qualities as the Dutchman was keen to bring in another top-notch forward to partner Geert den Ouden in attack.

Before departing for a week-long training camp in Holland with the rest of the City squad on Monday, Caanen told club officials to increase their efforts to sign a striker.

This was the cue for club president Victor Sciriha and Giovanni Cappitta, a club committee member whose company is the main sponsor of Valletta, to sound out Scerri who was summoned for a meeting with Valletta's top brass on Monday afternoon.

Sciriha concluded the deal yesterday afternoon following a meeting with Tony Bezzina, the Hibs president.

"Scerri is the latest top signing made by Valletta FC in the past few months," Sciriha said. "He's one of the top Maltese players and at Valletta, we want to see the best local talent in our team.

"The acquisition of Scerri is also a present to the fans for their support, especially in our Europa League matches. I hope that his arrival will help to soften the disappointment of our painful exit from the Europa League."

The Valletta president is confident that Scerri will do justice to his reputation as one of Malta's most lethal strikers.

"I've heard a lot of speculation about Scerri being hard to handle because of his character but he was very straightforward with me and I honestly think that he's a nice and honest lad," Sciriha said.

"I take full responsibility for his signing and I'm convinced that he will do well for our team."

Valletta are also interested in Malta midfielder Kevin Sammut but talks with Marsaxlokk are expected to resume next week.

Sciriha also confirmed that Doding Priso is attracting interest from an unnamed Russian club who have been monitoring the Cameroonian winger-cum-forward.

Officials from the Russian team are expected to travel to Holland this week to see Priso play in two friendly matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Sources have also told The Times that scouts representing two English Premier League clubs, believed to be Fulham and Sunderland, were at Richmond Park earlier this month to watch Priso during the first leg of Valletta's Europa League match against St Patrick's.

Barbara eyes Italy move

Meanwhile, Malta forward Etienne Barbara could continue his career in Italy as he is the subject of interest from Serie C2 club AS Pescina.

Barbara, who played for SC Verle in the German Regionnaliga last season, was set to join Floriana on a short-term deal but that move is now on hold as the stocky forward was expected to fly to Italy this morning for talks with Pescina.

Earlier this month, Barbara also had a short trial with English Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.

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