Christian Cassar has sealed his return to hometown club Floriana on a permanent basis after the Greens reached an agreement with fellow Premier League side Marsaxlokk following talks con-ducted during the weekend.
In a statement, signed by club official Mark Victor Camilleri, Floriana said president Johann Said, just re-elected for another term as head of the committee, had succeeded in striking a deal with Marsaxlokk over the perma-nent transfer of the 27-year-old midfielder.
“We are delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached with Marsaxlokk FC regarding the permanent transfer of Christian Cassar,” the statement said.
“Cassar has signed a four-year contract with Floriana and his acquisition is a continuation of the promise made by president Johann Said to bring back players with Floriana roots.”
Last season, Cassar helped Floriana to finish second in the BOV Premier League and then end their long trophy drought when they beat sporting anta-gonists Valletta 1-0 in the FA Trophy final.
In the past months, Floriana-born Cassar had already sounded his intentions to rejoin his boyhood club on a long-term basis despite the fact that he had another two years left to run on his Marsaxlokk contract.
Cassar is now expected to join the Floriana squad, under the charge of coach Michael Woods, this evening as they start preparations for next month’s Europa League tie against Cyp-riot side AEK Larnaca.
Floriana FC also announced yesterday that defender Joseph Borg has agreed to sign a new contract with the club for another season.
Thomas Paris, on loan from Birkirkara last term, could be another player to extend his stay with the FA Trophy winners after the Greens made an official request to sign him on loan for another season.
Meanwhile, Birkirkara are looking to strengthen their defensive ranks with a move for defender Josef Mifsud, currently on the books of Sliema Wanderers.
The Stripes, who host Albanian side Vlaznia in the first qualifying round of the Europa League at the Hibs Stadium on Thursday, are believed ready to launch an offer to take the 26-year-old on loan for one season.
New Birkirkara coach Patrick Curmi was in charge of Msida St Joseph when Mifsud played for the Saints in season 2006/07 before the centre-half moved to Valletta and then Sliema.
Ħamrun Spartans are looking to add a new goalkeeper to their repertoire for the new campaign and are engaged in talks with Birkirkara to have Omar Borg for another season on a loan basis.
No deal has been reached between the two clubs, however, and it is believed that the Spartans could also look elsewhere with one of their other targets being Tarxien goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted side Mqabba, under the charge of coach Clive Mizzi and his new assistant Renzo Kerr Cumbo, have made their first signing of the season after securing the services of defender Ryan Sammut from Mosta.