Justin Haber has no intention of leaving Hibernians despite the arrival of fellow Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.
On Thursday, Hibs completed the signing of Hogg on a five-year deal, a move that cast doubts over the future of Haber with the Premier League club. However, the 35-year-old is not prepared to throw in the towel.
“I have an obligation towards the Hibs fans who have taken me to heart in the short period of time I’ve been playing for their team,” Haber, who is reportedly a target for Ħamrun Spartans, told Times of Malta.
“As far as I’m concerned, I have no plans to leave. I have a contract with Hibs and I intend to honour it.
“Leaving a club without winning a trophy would be a failure for me and I’m still determined to achieve that objective at Hibs.”
Haber has been Hibs’ first-choice goalkeeper since joining them from Birkirkara last January but his no.1 status is now under threat after coach Mark Miller, back at the helm after replacing Branko Nisevic, made Hogg his first major signing.
This is not the first time the paths of Hogg and Haber have crossed as, for many years, the two goalkeepers also vied for the no.1 shirt with the national team.
Valletta’s Henry Bonello, who also had a spell with Hibs, has also emerged as a serious contender for the Malta jersey after starting the last three friendlies against Moldova, Czech Republic and Austria.
Valletta are set to finalise the signing of an Argentine attacking midfielder who reported for his first training session with the champions yesterday.
Elsewhere, Igor Coronado will be staying with Trapani after the Serie B club activated a buy-out clause in their agreement with Floriana FC.
The Brazilian playmaker, who joined Trapani on an initial loan deal last summer, impressed in his first season in Serie B.
Coronado is expected to sign a two-year contract with Trapani who retained coach Serse Cosmi.
Trapani came within a whisker of clinching promotion to the Serie A after losing to Pescara 3-1 on aggregate in the promotion play-off final earlier this month.
Boavista announce Schembri’s signing
Portuguese club Boavista have announced the signing of Andrè Schembri.
Boavista said on their website that the Malta striker has agreed a two-year deal with the report also featuring a photoshopped image of Schembri wearing the club’s shirt.
Schembri, who is expected to travel to Portugal for his medical on June 29, concluded negotiations with Boavista after his contract with Cypriot club AC Omonia Nicosia expired at the end of last season.
Omonia were keen to hand Schembri a new deal but it is believed that their offer failed to meet his expectations.
Other clubs from Cyprus, namely APOEL Nicosia, AEK Larnaca and Apollon Limassol, also courted the 30-year-old forward but he chose to seek a new challenge with Boavista who play in the top tier of Portuguese football.