Frank Temile has finalised his move to Qormi after signing a one-year deal yesterday.
The Nigerian forward was a free agent after his contract with Birkirkara expired at the end of last season.
His switch to Qormi had been on the cards after Temile landed in Malta on Thursday to conclude talks with the Premier League club.
Qormi have stepped up their recruitment drive over the past week after the team’s disappointing showings in The Convenience Shop Malta Summer Cup exposed the weaknesses of their squad.
Josef Mansueto, Qormi’s new coach, will be hoping that the signing of Temile will be viewed as a statement of intent from the Premier League club as they intensify their efforts to bring in more reinforcements.
Temile, 24, burst to prominence as a precocious teenage forward with Valletta.
In his first and only season with the Citizens, Temile inspired the club to the league title in 2008 before securing a move to Dynamo Kiev.
His five-year spell in Ukraine was beset by injuries which prevented Temile from making the desired impact in Kiev.
Last summer, Temile caused a stir by signing for Birkirkara but after a bright start, his season fizzled out as the Nigerian lost his place in Paul Zammit’s team.
On Friday , Qormi also completed the signing of Argentine defender Mauricio Matias Mazzetti.
The 28-year-old, who played for Iraq’s Duhok SC last season, has signed a one-year contract.
Aktpan’s mishap
Birkirkara have opened negotiations with the agent of Brazilian striker Ellinton Antonio Costa Moraes who has been training with the team since Wednesday.
The 24-year-old has played for Westerlo in Belgium, Ethnikos Achna in Cyprus and Hapoel Ra’anana in Israel.
After assessing Ellinton during training, coach Paul Zammit has instructed the club’s administration to start contract talks.
On a less positive note, Birkirkara’s goalkeeping situation has taken a turn for the worse after Ini Aktpan fractured a hand during a friendly against Hibernians on Friday.
Reserve keeper Aktpan underwent surgery yesterday.
Hibs won the friendly 3-0.