Failla hopes to regain best form with Hibs

Clayton Failla hopes his return to Hibs marks an upturn in his for-tunes after the wing-back struggled to show his best during his two-year spell with Sliema Wanderers.

“I’m content that Hibs showed interest and faith in my abilities,” Failla said after the Paolites com-pleted his signing.

Despite reported interest from Floriana, Failla admitted that he fancied a move to Hibs after Sliema decided to sell him.

“Once Sliema announced that they were prepared to listen to offers for me, Hibs were the first club to declare interest,” Failla, who yester-day signed a five-year contract with the Paolites, said.

“I was pleased that Hibs were keen to take me back and my pre-ference was to rejoin them.”

In his first stint with Hibs, Failla, who came through the youth ranks of St Patrick, emerged as one of the most exciting wingers in the top flight.

After playing a key role in Hibs’ Premier League title success in 2008/09, Failla earned the ultimate prize in local football after being named Malta FA player of the year.

He was only 23 then and, in the summer of 2009, left Hibs to join the Wanderers with high hopes of success at his new club.

That failed to materialise though as Failla, who has had his fair share of injuries in the last two seasons, found it hard to shine for an underachieving Blues team.

Failla accepted that he failed to hit peak form but was at a loss to explain why.

“I honestly don’t know why this happened to me,” Failla said.

“All the coaches I had at Sliema tried to help me with this and I remained upbeat that I would regain my best form.

“I did more than my best but it just wouldn’t happen. I expected a lot more from myself but I can assure everyone that I always gave my 100 per cent.

“My aim now is to start a new chapter. I believe the move to Hibs will serve me well.”

The league will start the weekend after next but the omens look posi-tive for Failla who, on Wednesday, started Malta’s 2-1 win over the Central African Republic.

His inclusion in the first team will have raised his spirits as Failla strives to get back to his old self.

“My top priority is to rediscover my old form,” Failla said.

“On a club level, I want to help Hibs return to the upper part of the league table and challenge for quali-fication to Europe.”

Chetcuti to Qormi as Backhaus leaves

Veteran defender Jeffrey Chetcuti has agreed a move to Qormi.

The 37-year-old, who turned out for Vittoriosa Stars last season, is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Premier League club.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi is still fine-tuning his squad ahead of the start of the new season.

Malta U-21 keeper Steve Sultana is to join Yellow-Blacks from Nadur while Nigerian Abubaker Bello-Osa-gie has returned to the Qormi fold.

Meanwhile, German midfielder Heiner Backhaus has terminated his contract with Ħamrun Spartans by mutual consent.

Ħamrun said Backhaus is leaving for family reasons.