Balzan continued to bolster their forward line ahead of the transfer deadline with the capture of Matteo Piciollo on a season-long loan from BOV Premier League rivals Floriana, yesterday.

The Italian looked unsettled this summer and reports also said he was seeking a move elsewhere after failure to earn a contract with Serie B side Trapani following a short trial in July.

Piciollo, 23, is Balzan’s second major signing this week following Tunisian winger Abdel Karim Nafti, formerly of Valletta. In midweek, they also succeeded in convincing Brazilian forward Alan Da Silva Souza to commit for another campaign in a Balzan shirt. Piciollo netted eight league goals for Floriana last season.

He attended training with his new team-mates yesterday but it remains to be seen if coach Oliver Spiteri will be tempted to include him in the squad for today’s Premier League opener against Mosta at the Hibs Stadium.

Floriana, meanwhile, are already engaged in talks to fill Piciollo’s void with Argentine Ignacio Lula Varela likely to sign a contract next week. The 26-year-old played for Croatian side NK Istra last season.

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