Striker Ryan Darmanin is no longer a Floriana FC player. Yesterday evening he signed for Balzan FC after obtaining his release from the Greens earlier in the day.

Darmanin, the Floriana leading scorer this season with eight goals, had been at loggerheads with his former club over unpaid wages.

Last week he was summoned by the committee for talks but the impasse continued and yesterday Darmanin was informed that Floriana were ready to give him his release, opening the way for him to join another club.

Balzan, who were linked with Darmanin’s signing before, were quick to make their move and offered him a three-year contract.

Negotiations with Balzan FC did not take long and Darmanin agreed personal terms with the Championship Pool hopefuls.

“I have reached an agreement with Floriana FC to get my release and now I have accepted an offer from Balzan FC,” Darmanin said.

“With Floriana I had an issue of backdated payments. Both parties tried hard to settle the dispute but in the end they opted to release me from my contract.

“I started my football careeer with Floriana so this was not easy for me. However, I have to move on and Balzan are a great club and I’m looking forward to play for them.”

Meanwhile, the Greens are set to give trial to two English midfielders and a Croat striker as they look to provide more options to coach Stephen Azzopardi ahead of the second part of the season.

Azzopardi is expected to run the rule over the trialists during a friendly against Marsaxlokk tomorrow.