Staying put... Striker Lydon Micallef has extended his contract with Balzan for another three years. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Lydon Micallef has committed his future to Balzan FC after extending his contract with the BOV Premier League club for another three years.

The gifted striker had another year left on his previous deal but the new agreement means that Micallef is now tied to Balzan for the next four years until the end of season 2019-20.

Balzan’s decision to hand Micallef a new contract is no surprise as the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the most prolific Maltese strikers in the top flight.

Last season, Micallef was the leading Maltese marksman in the Premier League alongside team-mate Alfred Effiong with a haul of 16 goals, four behind top scorer Mario Fontanella, of Floriana.

A few weeks ago, Micallef served up further evidence of his attacking qualities after hitting two fine goals in Balzan’s 2-1 win at Azerbaijan team Neftchi Baku in the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round match.

Balzan went out 3-2 on aggregate after losing 2-0 in the home leg.

Micallef, who is regarded as a very strong contender for a place in the Malta squad for next month’s friendly match against Estonia, had been at the centre of transfer talk in the close season amid reports of interest from Birkirkara but news that he has inked a new three-year contract with Balzan should put an end to speculation about his future.

For their part, Birkirkara are expected to include Croatian midfielder Mislav Andelkovic in their squad for the home leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie against Russian side Krasnodar.

Andelkovic rejoined Birkirkara last week after signing a new one-year deal.

The 28-year-old’s future had been up in the air after initial talks with Birkirkara had failed to lead to an agreement but Andelkovic, who impressed in the holding midfield position after joining the Stripes on a short-term contract during the January transfer window, is now back in the frame.

Andelkovic boost

The Croatian was not eligible to play for Birkirkara in their Europa League second qualifying round games against Hearts but his name has now been added to the club’s squad list, meaning that coach Drazen Besek can bank on Andelkovic for the tough assignments against Krasnodar.

Birkirkara, the first Maltese club to reach the third qualifying round of a European competition, have no suspensions for Thursday’s home encounter with Krasnodar at the Hibernians Stadium.

Mauricio Mazzetti’s departure from Birkirkara was made official on Saturday with the club announcing on their website that the Argentine defender had been released.

Mazzetti, whose first club in Malta were Qormi, had decided to end his association with the Stripes as he wanted to continue his career closer to his home country. The 30-year-old centre-half has joined Costa Rican club Cartagines.