Rowen Muscat is determined to make a big impact at Birkirkara this season but the Malta midfielder still has strong ambitions to play abroad in the future despite signing a new four-year deal with the FA Trophy winners.

The 24-year-old had an offer to join Cypriot club Aris Limassol but decided to stay put following talks with Birkirkara president Adrian Delia and coach Giovanni Tedesco.

“Until two months ago, people were saying that Birkirkara were heading nowhere as the club encountered some difficulties but things have changed dramatically since the end of last season,” Muscat, who had a short spell with Hungarian club Dunaujvaros in 2014-15, told Times of Malta.

“I firmly believe that the decision to sign a new contract with Birkirkara is good for both parties.”

Muscat revealed that he had made up his mind to join fellow Malta international Steve Borg at Limassol but he had a change of heart after discussing the matter with Dr Delia and Tedesco.

“I was planning to leave on Saturday and sign the deal with Aris Limassol but then I spoke to the coach and the president,” Muscat said.

“They both asked me to stay but promised to help me join a foreign club at the end of this season.

My aim is still to play overseas in the future but for now I’m concentrating on doing well for Birkirkara and help them reach their objectives as this season is crucial for the club.

“I’m content here as Birkirkara are really working hard to raise their level of professionalism. Things have also improved a lot from a financial point of view and everything looks in order so far.”

Muscat, who has already made 18 appearances for Malta, underlined his potential with two powerful performances in the Europa League games against West Ham United.

The midfielder, who is recovering from a minor groin injury, had been sounded out by a couple of Austrian clubs but he was unable to join them for a trial due to Birkirkara’s European commitments this month.

Meanwhile, Aris Limassol made news for the wrong reasons yesterday.

The Cypriot club were due to play a friendly against Italian side Como in Chievenna on Tuesday but they didn’t turn up after the bus driver took them to the wrong stadium.