MFA accept Spartans' request to sign Nigerian forward

The Malta FA have given Ħamrun Spartans the green light to sign Nigerian striker Obinna Polycarp Obiefule.

The Spartans sought permission from the MFA Executive Committee earlier this week to register Obiefule following the departure of Portuguese striker Joao Batista Mawete Jr.

Mawete, who had joined the Spartans in November, terminated his contract with the Premier League club last week as he had to return his homeland for family reasons.

On Monday, the Spartans filed the necessary transfer documents for Obiefule to the MFA. In the past few days, the Malta FA made enquiries to ensure that the Nigerian forward was not tied to another club since last January before giving the Spartans the go-ahead to continue their discussions with the 22-year-old forward.

Obiefule, who last season was on the books of Danish club Thisted FC, has been training regularly with Stephen D'Amato's squad since last Friday.

Sources have told The Times that the Spartans agreed a deal with the Nigerian forward till the end of the season. He will make his debut in Sunday's Relegation Pool clash with Floriana.

Like Ħamrun, Floriana also filed a request with the MFA to engage a new foreign player this week. The Greens have parted ways with Russian striker Victor Zlydarev after the lanky forward received two red cards in Floriana's last two matches against Msida St Joseph and Tarxien Rainbows (FA Trophy).

Floriana have reached an agreement with Ethiopian winger Michael Ghebru but they are still awaiting the Malta FA's permission to sign the 22-year-old. Gebru, who was on the books of American club Realy Maryland Monarchs last season, was part of the Ferencvaros squad that had a training camp in Malta a few weeks ago.