Valletta snap up Azzopardi
Bezzina joins Sliema on loan
Valletta have reinforced their defensive options after completing the signing of Ian Azzopardi from Sliema Wanderers.
Steve Bezzina, Valletta’s young left-back, will join Sliema on a season-long loan as part of the deal that sees Azzopardi move to the Citizens on a permanent basis.
Azzopardi, who can play in central defence or at left-back, has agreed a four-year contract.
The FA Trophy holders have long been scouring the market in search of a left-back and Azzopardi and Sliema team-mate Clayton Failla had both been touted as potential targets for the Citizens.
For a time, it looked as though Valletta had abandoned their pursuit of a flank defender, especially after the versatile Roderick Briffa delivered a lively performance at left-back in the second leg of the Europa League second qualifying round tie against Poland’s Ruch Chorzow.
Briffa also deputised for Bezzina, who is sidelined with a minor injury, in last Saturday’s Super Cup win over Birkirkara but with the start of the league campaign now less than two weeks away, Victor Sciriha, the Valletta president, revived the bid for Azzopardi and managed to tie up a deal with Sliema yesterday.
“I’m pleased that we have completed the signing of Ian Azzopardi,” Sciriha said.
“Azzopardi increases our options in defence and I’m sure he will prove a valuable addition to our squad. Our move for Azzopardi further underlines the club’s commitment to acquiring the best Maltese players.”
Meanwhile, Sliema are set to sign James Paris. The up-and-coming youngster is widely expected to join a Maltese club after spending the last few years with the Manchester City Academy.