Ryan Camilleri (left) is leaving Hibs after agreeing a move to Valletta. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Defender Ryan Camilleri is poised to complete his move to Valletta today after agreeing a five-year contract with the champions.

Camilleri has been a mainstay of the Hibs defence since joining them from Pietá Hotspurs in 2009/10 but the versatile defender has decided to move on after his contract with the Paolites expired at the end of last season.

“In the last few years, Valletta have had an edge over the rest of the Premier League teams in terms of the quality in their squad,” Camilleri told Times of Malta.

“To be part of their team is an honour for a Maltese player.

“It’s also a source of extra motivation. A footballer’s career is short and you have to make the most of it.”

Camilleri confessed that the decision to leave Hibs was not easy but Valletta’s persistence, allied with his desire to play for a club that regularly challenges for the major honours, convinced him to accept the champions’ offer.

“I’ve been at Hibs for five years, winning two FA Trophy medals,” Camilleri said.

“It was a very positive experience which also helped me to become part of the national squad.

“As for my future, I’ve been discussing with Valletta for a while but there were lingering question marks in my mind as the decision is usually more straightforward when you’re in talks about staying at your current club rather than moving to a new team.

“But at some point, you have to draw a line. Valletta continued to push hard and their efforts persuaded me to join them.”

Valletta president Victor Sciriha is pleased to have secured the signature of one of the most coveted defenders in the league.

“I’m confident that Ryan Camilleri will prove to be an excellent signing for us,” Sciriha said.

“We needed to reinforce our defence after losing Luke Dimech. Camilleri’s versatility will be an asset for us.”

Speculation has been rife that Luke Dimech has decided to hang up his boots but the 37-old-defender told Times of Malta that he is still pondering his future.

Camilleri is Valletta’s second capture this week after Maltese-Australian Adrian Zahra, who turned out for A-League club Perth Glory in the last two seasons, signed a two-year deal with the Whites.

Camilleri’s switch to Valletta is likely to cause disappointment among the Hibs supporters but news that Brazilian duo Rodolfo Soares and Marcelo Dias are to rejoin the club should sweeten the pill.

Soares and Dias had left Hibs in January to join Lebanese Al-Ahed SC on a short-term loan.

Their departure was seen as a massive blow for the Paolites and their hopes of challenging for the title.

Times of Malta has learnt that both Soares and Dias are expected to travel to Malta in the coming days to rejoin Hibs.

The other foreign players at Hibs are Brazilians Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’ and Jackson Lima and Serbian midfielder Zoran Levnaic.

Euro Cup fixtures

The Malta FA yesterday published the fixture schedule of the Euro Cup Friendly Tournament.

Hibernians take on fellow Europa League hopefuls Sliema in the opening match next Thursday while champions Valletta take on rivals Birkirkara in the second fixture on Friday.

All games will be played at the Centenary Stadium.

Programme
Thursday (June 19): 19.00 Hibernians vs Sliema Wanderers.
Friday (June 20): 19.00 Valletta vs Birkirkara.
Sunday (June 22): 19.00 Sliema Wanderers vs Valletta.
Monday (June 23): 19.00 Birkirkara vs Hibernians.
Wednesday (June): 25 19.00 Hibernians vs Valletta.
Thursday (June 26): 19.00 Sliema Wanderers vs Birkirkara.