[attach id=263949 size="medium"]Frank Temile... set for comeback to Maltese Premier League this season.[/attach]
While the majority of clubs in the BOV Premier League are still mulling their options to strengthen their ranks in the off-season, champions Birkirkara FC yesterday were on the verge of completing their first major transfer this summer after reaching an agreement to bring Frank Temile back to Maltese football.
The Stripes are looking to bolster their resources ahead of this month’s European matches against Slovenia champions NK Maribor and in striker Temile they have identified a potential addition to their squad.
The 23-year-old Nigerian, whose contract with Ukraine’s Dynamo Kiev expired at the end of last season, arrived in Malta on Monday and immediately opened talks with Birkirkara FC and president Joe Zammit.
An agreement was reached and the deal is now set to be completed today provided Temile passes a medical test.
The move to Maltese football offers Temile an opportunity to revive his career after a frustrating five-year spell at Dynamo Kiev who he joined following after an impressive season with Valletta FC in 2007-08.
During that campaign, the speedy forward played a key role in the Citizens’ league title, making 20 appearances and scoring 10 goals.
However, his experience in Ukraine was rather low key as he struggled to force his way into the first team and spent most of his time playing in the reserves league before being loaned out to PFC Oleksandriya, also of Ukraine.
If Temile signs on the dotted line today, he is expected to make his first appearance for Birkirkara in Saturday’s friendly against visiting Khazar Lankaran at the Sirens Stadium.
The Azeri side faced Sliema in the Europa League first qualifying round yesterday but they will be staying here for a short training camp under their coach John Toshack before next week’s second leg.
Birkirkara host NK Maribor in the opening leg of the Champions League second quali-fying round on July 16.
Agius’s future
Birkirkara are also reportedly interested in acquiring the services of Valletta midfielder Edmund Agius.
Agius is currently evaluating his position after his contract expired at the end of last season.
Contacted by The Times of Malta yesterday, Agius said that contrary to media reports he has yet to make a decision on his future.
“I have held discussions with both Valletta and Birkirkara but no conclusions were reached... there’s no final decision yet.”
Elsewhere, Mosta FC are in talks with Italian Enrico Piccioni who could join the club’s technical set-up for the new season.
The former Cremonese midfielder has been offered the technical director’s job, in close collaboration with coach Danilo Doncic.
Piccioni’s main task will be to give advice on new foreigners as Mosta already have four Portuguese players on trial this summer.
It was also confirmed yesterday that Mosta had completed the transfer of goalkeeper Omar Borg who last season played for Marsaxlokk in Division One.
The Blues, however, lost the services of Steve Bezzina. The wing-back will be playing for Balzan FC this season.