Birkirkara midfielder Ryan Scicluna is confident that his performances in a series of trials in England last week have significantly enhanced his prospects of securing a move to the UK in the near future.

Scicluna featured in three trials after accepting the invitation of an English scout to take part in these sessions which are very popular with out-of-contract professionals as they attract several coaches and scouts eager to spot an interesting player who may have slipped through the net.

Reports that Scicluna’s showings have caught the eye of a host of assessors were confirmed by the player himself.

“It was a very positive experience,” the 23-year-old said when contacted by the Times of Malta yesterday.

“There were a lot of scouts and football coaches from the Liverpool area. The trials, for different age-groups, spanned three days. There were around 50 trialists in my age-bracket, mostly out-of-contract players.”

While Scicluna, who has a reputation as one of the most unassuming players in the Premier League, was understandably unwilling to disclose the nature of conversations he had with potential suitors after the trials, he said the response was encouraging.

“The feedback I received from the scouts was very positive,” Scicluna said.

“The people I spoke to looked genuinely pleased with my performances during these trials.”

Long regarded as a bright prospect of Maltese football, Scicluna has been keen on a move to a foreign club since bursting on to the scene as an enterprising midfielder with Birkirkara.

In 2013, Scicluna and Birkirkara team-mate Rowen Muscat had a trial with Spanish club CF Cadiz.

Nothing tangible came out of that experience three years ago but Scicluna, who shone in Birkirkara’s march to the third qualifying round of the Europa League this summer, is optimistic that, sooner or later, he will fulfil his dream of playing abroad.

“My target is to receive a positive answer from an overseas club in the next few weeks or months,” Scicluna, who has another year left on his contract with Birkirkara, said. “I’m very optimistic after this experience.”

Scicluna, who can play in different roles across the midfield as well as on the right wing, missed Birkirkara’s 4-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows on Friday as he flew back to Malta later that night.

On Saturday morning, Scicluna, who travelled to England with Birkirkara’s permission, reported for training with the national squad.

His inclusion in Pietro Ghedin’s 20-man party for Wednesday’s friendly against Estonia in Parnu is a further boost for Scicluna who is hopeful of adding to his four senior caps for Malta after racking up many appearances for the U-21 side.

“I’m delighted to be in the national squad for the friendly against Estonia,” Scicluna said.

“I’m proud to represent my country.

“It goes without saying that international football is an excellent showcase for players and I’m looking forward to Malta’s coming games, especially the Scotland and England qualifiers, as these will surely generate a lot of interest among scouts and coaches.”

Relentless... Birkirkara midfielder Ryan Scicluna (left) wins possession during his team’s Europa League home win over Siroki Brijeg. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli