Valletta unveil Michael Mifsud
Scores of Valletta fans turned up to greet Michael Mifsud this evening as the Malta striker was officially unveiled as City's latest signing at a news conference held at the Premier League club's premises.
Mifsud, who has signed a three-month deal with the Citizens, identified Valletta's history, their large following and the team's quest for honours as the main reasons behind his decision to join them.
"Valletta are a club with a glorious history," Mifsud said. "They also have the strongest squad and my ambition is to win honours with this team this season."
Victor Sciriha, the Valletta president, admitted that interest in Mifsud from his club's Premier League rivals strengthened his determination to snap up the striker.
"Michael was in Sliema's Executive Box at the National Stadium on Saturday," Sciriha said. "Sliema, Birkirkara and Hibs were keen to sign Mifsud. I called him on Saturday and we agreed to meet the following day. It soon became clear to me that Michael Mifsud was really interested in joining Valletta and it didn't take us long to agree terms."
Sciriha described Mifsud's signing as the icing on the cake after Valletta recruited a host of top Maltese players this season.
"I have signed Michael Mifsud for our fans because they are the heart and soul of our club," Sciriha said to a rousing applause from the supporters.
"I don't think I can do more than I've already done to boost the potential of our team and to improve our chances of achieving success this season."
Mifsud, 28, was in a position to sign for a new team outside the transfer windows as he had been without a club since his deal with Coventry City expired at the end of last season.
As his move to Valletta requires the approval of the MFA Executive Committee, Mifsud is unlikely to be eligible to make his debut for his new team in Saturday's Championship Pool match.
Ton Caanen, the Valletta coach, welcomed Mifsud's arrival. "The signing of Michael Mifsud is good for Valletta FC and for Maltese football in general," Caanen said. "His arrival makes our squad stronger. I look forward to working with him and I'm pleased to have three quality forwards in my squad."
Mifsud will wear the no.9 shirt with Valletta.
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E. Vassallo
Mar 11th 2010, 18:41
After all the hussle and bussle that various foreign teams are after his signature, Michael opted for the local league. Why this turnaround?
John Calleja
Mar 11th 2010, 17:54
Signing for three months! Hardly committing himself to Valletta. His agent will continue to market Michael on the UK football market.
kevin sammut
Mar 11th 2010, 17:50
Nawgura lil micheal ir ritorn fil futbol malti . pero toqghodux tinkwetaw hafna ghax il league go birkirkara sejjer dak li hu miktub hadd ma jhassru u jidher car li hekk se jigri . Kevin sammut
C E Taliana
Mar 11th 2010, 16:24
Thanks to Mr. Schriha, his family all the commitee/staff/players that made this possible.
m. borg (slm)
Mar 11th 2010, 14:01
To all those who took the trouble to reply to my request to Mr. Scriha.
Since when Mr Schria became Valletta's king as far as I know you degraded him in the past and called him names especially when Marsaxlokk were tops and would beat Valletta hands down.
It seems that not Mr Scriha does U-turns.
This might come as a surprise to some of you but not all city supporters are happy with the engagement of Mifsud
Mark Aquilina
Mar 11th 2010, 13:46
Well done michael and about time you join a team. Disappointed that you did not opt for Sliema - Mark
Judith Schembri
Mar 11th 2010, 12:31
I am a Floriana supporter. I am very glad that Michael Mifsud found a team at last (even though it's Valletta). And no, I am not going to start any polemics about anything.
It is a big waste of a talent to end up without a team.But even if he had to sign up with Floriana ( he was more than welcome,they need him too!), he is a wasted talent in Malta. He is a gifted player, as can be seen in the past and he still has a lot to give. He is in his prime. I am perfectly certain that he will soon be sought after by foreign teams again. He made a name in Europe especially when he scored two goals (and almost a third) against Manchester United. I was overjoyed. One because he is Maltese and two because I am (definitely) not a ManU fan. However I am sure all the Maltese were at that time. Because even in the UK, they were astounded by him when he knocked ManU out of the Cup.
Come on Michael - good luck for the future. Just don't give up will you?
R. Gauci
Mar 11th 2010, 11:46
Prosit Kevin, domandi bis-sens u artikli ta` l-iprem livell, wiehed mill-aqwa gurnalisti lokali bla dubju, keep it up.
S.Vella
Mar 11th 2010, 11:43
OK OK all Valletta fans chill out please.
@Kevin Farrugia......Valletta a model for other clubs ??!!! Don't make me laugh! Yu got yourselves a sugar daddy wo is not from Valletta by the way to finance your trophies for fo five years.....what willhappen once he calls it a day....nd please do not come up wih a "he will never leave" comment cause that's what you lot used to say about Caruana Curran.
@Carmelo Pace....I will go in hiding when Valletta win more league titles than Sliema (and pigs will fly by the way)
@Clint Zammit....stlett snin ilu meta ma kontu qied tirbhu xejn ank intom kien ikollkhom 50h is-side taghkom. Tahseb li Michael Mifsud gie maghkom ghal kemm intom simpatici jew helwin?! Hallina trid.
joe grech
Mar 11th 2010, 10:51
no 1 ... jien ma ghandi l ebda team favorit fil league lokali
no 2 ... victor shriha president habrieki ferm u il beltin ghandom ikunu kburin .
no3 .. .fuq nota personali inhoss li din il move hija daqqa ta harta ghal michael mifsud , il livell
tieghu huwa ferm ahjar min tal lokal , nhoss li l karriera tieghu barra min malta giet
fi tmiemha ,
R.Ciantar
Mar 11th 2010, 10:42
@m.borg
You did never a U-TURN in your life?
clint zammit
Mar 11th 2010, 09:34
@m borg , naf illi li tara lil michael bil flokk glorjuz tghana hija medicina ferm morra ghalik biex tnizzila ,ir raguni ghal fatt li skond int Is Sur Scriha ghamel u turn , dan jikkonferma kemm linteress tat team tal belt as sur vic jigi l ewwel u qabel kollox ghanke sahansitra abel kull kustjoni personali li jista jkollu , xorta wihda jien qatt ma smajtu jghid hekk lis sur vic u ma nafx jekk hux vera. il fatt huwa li intom bad losers , il players li kienu jilghabu mghana u gew mghakom lanqas tghoddom , fosthom kaz simili ghal ta michael kien tal belti stefan gilio , ahna xorta konna bqajna nirrispettaw lil stefan u id decizjoni li kien ha u ma xtaqnilux li jikser siequ kif kien hemm min qal fil forum tghakom din il gimgha , lanqas ma qadna nghajruh fuq dak li konna ghamilna mijaw qabel ha li nghamlu ahna dejjem nghamluh min qalbna u mux ghal ghajn. x motivazjoni ried ikollu michael li jigi jilghab mghakom u jibda jilghab quddiem 50 ruh????? Sour grapes habib hahahahaha
kevin Farrugia
Mar 11th 2010, 09:15
I am a Valletta fan but for sure all supporters from other clubs envy that we have a super president who in his speech added that ' Michael Mifsud was bought for the fans'. When you hear honest words from a club president, for sure others will be envious!
Valletta is a club model for others to follow!
carmelo pace
Mar 11th 2010, 08:55
@m borg
who are you for our king to explain his u turn decision?,after all he was president of another club at that time,so he kept his word and didn't sign him for m/xlokk f c,
YES MONEY DOES NOT BUY RESPECT( FAILLA AGREES WITH YOU )he didnt leave hibernians for money,but for a new challenge,most likely micheal followed suit.
now will you and all anti valletta MOANERS stop this tirade and go hide somewhere and not to be found.COME ON CITY,AND YOU MR SCIRIHA AND THE REST OF OUR COMMITEE THANK YOU FOR THIS EARLY EASTER PRESENT
R Agius
Mar 11th 2010, 08:33
Wouldn't it be simpler if Mr Scriha simply went to a trophy store and bought himself the trophies he so desires? Or is this just a really expensive way of achieving the same?
Andrew Cachia
Mar 11th 2010, 08:03
Dear Markus, as far as I'm concerned, history says that Valleta are third best. More investment is needed to got top and i dont quite think that the muscle is adequate.
Anthony Scerri
Mar 11th 2010, 07:52
Quite a pretentious news conference indeed. I wonder how sustainable this project is and could turn out to be a disaster. IT happpened a few years ago when Valletta were anchored for quite a while. History repeats itself and in the case of Valletta would be in next to no time. Good luck to mifsud although it has been rumoured that a decision was taken over pennies. Shame.
F.Williams
Mar 11th 2010, 07:37
A big Thank You to Mr.Schriha! WELCOME Michael!
carmelo
Mar 11th 2010, 18:01
PROSIT LIS-SUR SHRIHA LI JAGHMEL MIN KOLLOX GHAT-TEAM TAGHNA TAL-VALLETTA.GRAZZI LIL KULHADD LI IRSISTA BIEX NGIEBU L-MICHAEL.EJJA WHITES HA NIRBHU.
m. borg (slm)
Mar 10th 2010, 23:00
After Mifsud had come from Germany, some years back, and joined sSliema at Mr Schria's disappointment (having travelled to Germany to make a deal) same Schria had said that as long as he is president Michael will not play in his team.
Maybe he'll explain this U-turn or the reason to go back on his word.
As regards Michael good luck to you, money does not necessarily buy respect, I am sure he knows what I mean.