Floriana offer contract to Portuguese winger
Said warning to under-performing players
Floriana’s efforts to strengthen their squad next month are gathering momentum as the Premier League club are on the verge of completing the signing of a Portuguese winger.
Marsal Fernandez has penned a contract with Floriana after leaving a good impression during his trial with the first-team squad.
The 26-year-old, who last played for AS Lousada, a second division club in Portugal, is expected to join Floriana on a six-month deal.
Johan Said, the Floriana president, confirmed that talks with Fernandez and Nigerian striker Daniel Nwoke, who had a spell with Msida, some years ago, are concluded.
News that Said is keen to bring in more reinforcements is likely to be welcomed by the fans but it also raises question marks over the future of certain players in the senior squad.
The low-key performance in a 1-0 defeat to Birkirkara last weekend incensed Said who warned that several first-teamers could face the axe if they fail to deliver in Sunday’s game against Marsaxlokk.
“Some players have been forewarned that our next game will make or break their time at the club,” Said told The Times.
“Those who fail to perform will be transfer-listed.”
Marsaxlokk will be without Clive Brincat on Sunday as the defender received a one-match ban for a fourth yellow card yesterday.
One player whose future with Floriana looks bleak is Ivailo Sokolov after Said revealed that the Bulgarian defender no longer features in the club’s plans.
Etienne Barbara, back in Malta after a spell with US club Carolina Railhawks, is also on Said’s wishlist but the stocky striker wants to wait for potential offers from overseas clubs before committing himself to the Greens.
Elsewhere, Portuguese midfielder Valdo Alhinho has moved to Msida after being released by Sliema Wanderers.
Msida, bottom of Division One, have also signed Vincente Ture, a Portuguese striker.
Sliema gave a trial to Swedish striker Mohammad Tadayon in the past few weeks but the latter has since left amid reports that he has been offered a trial with an English League One club.
Padova tour
The news emerged yesterday that Padova are set to hold their winter training camp in Malta between December 27 and January 3.
The organisers of the mid-term meeting here are also planning to hold a triangular tournament at the Hibs Stadium on December 29 with the participation of Padova, who play in Serie B, Ħamrun and Hibs.