The protracted transfer of defender Mauricio Mazzetti Latini from Qormi to Birkirkara has finally been sealed.
The two clubs had been engaged in talks for the towering Argentine centre-half for almost three weeks but it was only yesterday that they finally agreed terms which will see the 28-year-old joining Birkirkara on a permanent move with Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza heading in the other direction on loan until the end of the season.
Mazzetti Latini’s transfer was delayed by Mendoza’s reluctance to leave third-placed Birkirkara and join the relegation-threatened strugglers.
However, after meeting with Qormi coach Josef Mansueto, Mendoza was convinced to make the move and now registration papers of both players are expected to be filed at the Malta FA today.
Mazzetti Latini is likely to make his first appearance for Birkirkara on Sunday when Paul Zammit’s team take on Sliema Wanderers at the National Stadium.
Mendoza, however, must wait to make his first appearance for Qormi as he is ineligible for this weekend’s derby against Żebbuġ Rangers as he must serve a one-match ban after a sending-off against Hibernians last Saturday.
Mendoza will make his first appearance for Qormi against Floriana on February 8. That match will bring to a close Qormi’s commitments in the first two rounds of the championship.
The transfer window deadline is next week but Mazzetti Latini is not likely to be Birkirkara’s last capture this winter as yesterday it was confirmed that the Stripes are also engaged in talks with Balzan over the signing of striker Lydon Micallef.
Coach Zammit is determined to infuse new blood in his squad and identified the talented Micallef as an ideal reinforcement.
At present, Micallef is facing fierce competition at Balzan following the arrival of Bojan Kaljevic which increased the number of forwards at the disposal of coach Oliver Spiteri to six.
Both clubs already held a round of talks over Micallef’s transfer but no agreement was reached as Bir-kirkara have not met Balzan’s valuation of the player.
Meanwhile, after their dramatic 2-1 victory over fellow relegation strugglers Pietà Hotspurs on Tuesday, Żebbuġ Rangers yesterday added more firepower to their squad with the on-loan signing of Valletta striker Luke Montebello.
Montebello, who scored three times this season, has struggled to break into Valletta’s starting formation and the arrival of Dutch striker Djamel Leeflang earlier this month has further reduced his chances of first-team action.
Rangers are also expected to complete the transfer of Nigerian defender Monday James this week.
The 28-year-old has played in Sweden for the last five years with Hammarby and also represented his country at U-20 and U-23 levels.
James has four caps with the senior national team.
Montebello and James could make their debut for Żebbuġ in Saturday’s derby against Qormi.
Elsewhere, it was also confirmed yesterday that former Valletta striker Raphael Kooh Sohna is now on the books of top Algerian club JS Kabylie.
Kooh Sohna, 24, joined Valletta last summer from Pieta Hotspurs.
However, the Cameroonian failed to leave his mark and was released this winter after managing just three goals.
JS Kabylie are the most successful team in Algeria, having won the national title 14 times.
This season, they’re languishing in a mid-table position with 22 points from 17 matches.