It’s somewhat rare for Maltese football to get exposure in the UK media but news that goalkeeper Matthew Towns has signed for Valletta after being released by rivals Floriana caught the attention of the Macclesfield Express.
Under the headline ‘Maltese Matt’s cross-Towns switch causes a stir’, the Macclesfield Express reporter wrote: “There are many fierce rivalries in club football, with the Real Madrid/Barcelona ‘Clasico’ and Celtic vs Rangers Old Firm clashes among the game’s most fraught.
“And now, Macclesfield’s Matt Towns has caused shockwaves in the Maltese football community after his move from cup holders Floriana to league title winners Valletta.”
Towns, 28, had signed a contract with Floriana after helping the club win the FA Trophy last season but the Greens had a change of heart and decided to part ways with the English goalkeeper.
According to the English news-paper, Towns had been on the radar of a number of clubs in Europe, including Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Leicester City, before he agreed a new deal with Floriana.
The Greens’ decision to dispense with Towns was a setback for the English goalkeeper but he didn’t have to wait long to find a new club as he immediately accepted the offer to join Valletta on a two-year deal.
“There’s has been a bit of a hoo-ha, a mate of mine texted me to say it was like Nick Barmby moving from Everton across town to Liverpool,” Towns told the Maccles-field Express.
Floriana’s 9-0 aggregate defeat to AEK Larnaca in the second qualifying round of the Europa League and the arrival of Ghana goalkeeper William Amamoo were probably the main reasons behind the club’s decision not to retain Towns but the Englishman is now focusing on proving himself at Valletta.
“We’ve got the equivalent of the Charity Shield against Floriana coming up (on Tuesday) so I’ll expect some stick,” Towns said.
The City fans are expected to give Towns a warm welcome during the club’s annual players’ presentation night, being held this evening at Hastings Garden.
During this fund-raising activity, organised by the club in con-junction with the Valletta FC Sup-porters’ Club, the 2011/12 squad will be presented to the fans.
The Citizens have been very active in the transfer market in the close season, bringing in no fewer than five new players, namely Malta striker Michael Mifsud, Brazilian forward William Barbosa, Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong, winger Ousseni Zongo, from Burkina Faso, and Towns.
Also, Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, and his assistant Leonard Farrugia are currently assessing the qualities of Italian midfielder Filippo Savi.
Parma are prepared to loan Savi to Valletta for one season.
Obiefule move
Marsaxlokk are set to sign Nigerian striker Obinna Obiefule.
Obiefule, who played for Sliema Wanderers last season, had been expected to join Norwegian side Sandnes Ulf but the deal fell through.
Sources said Marsaxlokk are in discussions with Obiefule who is expected to sign a one-year contract in the coming days.
Coach Winston Muscat and club president Robert Micallef have been engaged in efforts to strengthen the squad ahead of the league opener against Mosta today week.
The southseasiders have ex-tended the contract of French midfielder Florent Raimy and snapped up Argentine winger Emiliano Lattes, Brazilian defender Carlos Campagnoli and Italian Modesto Valeriani.
Marsaxlokk have also acquired Malta U-21 player Jonathan Xerri from Hibs and brought in four players, goalkeeper Chris Cassar (Hibs), Jean Paul Farrugia (Hibernians), Sacha Borg (Floriana) and Patrick Borg (Birkirkara), on loan.
Hibs youngster attracts interest
It also emerged yesterday that Italian club Lucchese has made preliminary enquiries about up-and-coming Hibs midfielder Johann Bezzina.
Regarded as a bright prospect, Bezzina is a member of the Malta U-19 squad.
It seems Bezzina captured the attention of some Italian coaches who were in Malta in May to run the rule over the country’s most promising youngsters.
The visit of the Italian coaches was organised by the Malta FA as part of its drive to improve the standard of coaching and open up new horizons for up-and-coming Maltese players.
Last month, Luke Montebello and Fabio Muscat, of Birkirkara and Valletta respectively, joined the youth squad of Serie B club Livorno.