Hibernians FC are awaiting the arrival of Brazilian defender David Junior Lopes who is set to start a trial with the Malta champions later this week.

The Paolites are currently stepping up preparations ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League first qualifying round, first leg, against Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Hibs Stadium.

Coach Branko Nisevic has already brought in a few reinforcements.

Midfielder Gilmar agreed to join the Paolites this summer and so did his former Naxxar Lions team-mate and fellow Brazilian Jorge Santos Silva.

Hibs have also brought in goalkeeper Matthew Towns to provide competition for young Juergen Borg. Last season’s regular no.1 Henry Bonello returned to his club Sliema Wanderers after his loan spell with the Paolites came to an end in May.

Nisevic is now looking to add more experience to his backline and Lopes, who is due to arrive tomorrow, looks an ideal candidate having enjoyed spells in Croatia, Poland and Spain before moving to the US.

In the Major League Soccer, he donned the colours of Chivas before moving to Los Angeles Galaxy, who had former England and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham on their books.

With Los Angeles Galaxy, Lopes won the MLS Cup in 2012.

Last season, he returned home to Brazil where he played for Esporte Clube Novo Hamburgo.

Cini signs for Mosta

It was confirmed yesterday that Mosta FC had completed the signing of goalkeeper Yenz Cini.

The former Malta U-21 international obtained his release from Valletta at the end last season after struggling to secure regular football with his hometown club. In fact, Cini spent the second part of the 2014-15 season on loan at Division One side Gudja United.

However, the 21-year-old was keen to continue his career with another Premier League club and accepted the offer put in by Mosta.

Talks between Cini and Mosta FC president George Galea were concluded yesterday with the goalkeeper putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.