Sliema Wanderers have reached an agreement with Valletta to sign international midfielder Shaun Bajada on loan until the end of the season with an option of making the deal permanent in summer.
Bajada’s exit comes only five months after he had inked a long-term contract with the champions following his switch from Birkirkara.
A skilful and versatile player, Bajada was widely tipped to be a success at Valletta but, despite starting some games this season, he appears to have fallen down the pecking order in the last two months.
Valletta’s on-going efforts to reinforce their squad, allied with his omission from Mark Miller’s starting line-up for last Saturday’s clash with Hibs, cast serious doubts over Bajada’s future at the capital club.
A host of clubs, including Balzan and Floriana, were interested in Bajada but the prospect of joining an improving Sliema side with high hopes of challenging for Europa League qualification swayed the 29-year-old’s decision in favour of the Blues.
Bajada was due to report for training with Sliema, led by Italian coach Alfonso Greco, yesterday evening after Victor Sciriha and Keith Perry, the presidents of Valletta and Sliema Wanderers respectively, struck a deal over his move in the afternoon.
Bajada’s signing is unlikely to signal the end of Sliema’s involvement in the transfer market as Perry is still hopeful of agreeing a similar loan deal for striker Ian Zammit, also of Valletta.
The Blues have also re-opened talks with Qormi over Abubakar Bello-Osagie, the Nigerian winger.
Bajada’s switch to Sliema could leave a negative impact on Valletta’s pursuit of Pedrinho, the Balzan playmaker, amid reports that discussions between the two clubs have now stalled.
Elsewhere, Mosta, who have a verbal agreement with Birkirkara over the transfer of goalkeeper Justin Haber, have also declared an interest in Matthew Farrugia but Qormi are reluctant to part with their regular shot-stopper.
This week, Mosta completed the signing of defender Tyrone Farrugia from Floriana.
After releasing all their Bulgarian players, Ħamrun Spartans decided to offer a contract to French striker Loic Lumbilla and are also set to sign Albanian defender Bledjon Guga who played for Balzan last season.
Hibs have reportedly terminated the contract of Brazilian striker Anderson Mendes Ribeiro who is now being linked with a move to Division One promotion chasers Naxxar Lions.
Luis Edison, formerly of Hibs, has had surgery to cure a knee problem. The Brazilian striker is pushing to secure his release from Hungarian club Kecskemeti in order to rejoin the Paolites.