Of the foreign players engaged by Maltese clubs this summer, Andrea Pisanu has the most eye-catching CV.
A household name during his successful spell with Parma, Pisanu has made around 100 appearances in the Serie A and was reportedly on the verge of earning a call-up to the Italian national team.
Since signing for Bologna in 2010, Pisanu’s star has been on the wane as the Cagliari-born midfielder failed to establish himself with the Rossoblu. In the last four seasons, Pisani was twice loaned out to Italian lower-league side Prato and had a season-long loan spell with MLS side Montreal Impact last year.
Pisanu is now embarking on a new adventure in his career after sealing a move to Sliema Wanderers on a season-long loan.
Spearheaded by Keith Perry, the avid fan-turned-president, Sliema are justifiably delighted to have snapped up a player of Pisanu’s calibre not only because his arrival attests to the club’s ambition to live up to its glorious past but also because they believe that the 32-year-old will make a significant impact on their team.
For his part, Pisanu is raring to go.
“I’m happy because it’s a new experience for me, an opportunity to discover a new footballing culture, new people and a new country,” he told The Sunday Times of Malta.
“I’m here to try and win. I didn’t come here for a holiday... I want to achieve something in Maltese football.”
Invited to spell out the reasons behind his decision to join Sliema Wanderers, Pisanu replied: “I was convinced by the fact that I have spoken to very serious people. They (Sliema) have an ambitious project and share my desire to win.
“Furthermore, I was keen to have another experience overseas which I believe can be enriching for me as well as for my family.”
Pisanu is willing to work hard in order to help his new team achieve their objectives this season.
“Certainly, (the Sliema fans can expect) a lot commitment and dedication from me,” Pisanu said.
“I hope to help the squad reach important targets like winning the championship.”
Two years ago, Pisanu had also considered a move to Maltese football after being approached by Valletta. He spent a few days in Malta after being invited for talks by the club but the deal failed to materialise and Pisanu eventually joined Montreal.
Before that, Pisanu was part of the Parma squad that had a winter training camp in Malta back in 2009.
“I was already here with Parma for a winter training camp,” Pisanu replied when asked whether his last visit to Malta had played a role in his decision to accept Sliema’s offer.
“The other occasion when I came here, nothing came of it as, at the time, I was still a Bologna player and in the end I joined Montreal Impact.
“This time the conditions were right. I’m delighted and can’t wait to start. I will make myself available to the coach and then we will see how far we can go in this championship.”
Pisanu, who touched down in Malta on Thursday night, is unlikely to encounter acclimatisation problems as he joins a growing legion of Italians at Sliema Wanderers, namely head coach Alfonso Greco, Arturo Zeppettella, the physical trainer, midfielder Paltemio Barbetti and defenders Stefano Bianciardi and Andrea Scozzese, the latter having linked up with the Blues this summer after enhancing his reputation as a powerful centre-half during his spell with Division One side Gudja United last season.
Malta captain Michael Mifsud has also re-signed for Sliema after terminating his contract with Melbourne Heart while Serbian midfielders Marko Potezica, who turned out for Mqabba, Tarxien Rainbows and Lija Athletic in the past, was handed a contract after impressing during a trial.
Sliema have also signed goalkeeper Daniel Balzan on loan from Hibernians and Peter Xuereb from San Gwann.
Ohawuchi leaves
Nigerian winger-cum-forward Stanley Ohawuchi has left the club to join Wade Degla FC in Egypt. For a time last week, Ohawuchi’s move looked in jeopardy after Wade Degla failed to pay the agreed transfer fee by the stipulated deadline but Sliema have since received assurances from the Cairo-based club that the sum will be transferred this week.
Last season, the Wanderers finished fifth in the championship and reached the final of the U*Bet FA Trophy last season.
Da Silva Souza joins Greek club
Alan Da Silva Souza, who impressed during his short spell with Maltese champions Valletta last season, will play in the Greek Super League this term after signing for Egrotelis.
Valletta had preliminary talks with Brazilian midfielder over a new contract but the two parties were unable to reach an agreement.
Da Silva Souza has now sorted out his future by agreeing a move to the Crete-based club. Egrotelis finished seventh in the league last season.