Diego Balbinot in action for Hibernians in season 2011-12.

Diego Balbinot will be making a return to the Maltese Premier League as it was confirmed yesterday that the Brazilian defender had agreed terms to play for Valletta for the second part of the current season.

The 31-year-old defender arrived yesterday and was due to undergo a medical test before putting pen to paper on a six-month contract.

This will be Balbinot’s second spell in Maltese football after having played for Hibernians in 2011. His stint with the Paolites, however, was cut short by an injury and he was subsequently released by the club.

Valletta will be hoping Balbinot produces the same kind of sound performances when at Hibs as coach Paul Zammit looks to add more options to his defence with the Citizens now sole leaders in the Premier League standings after beating the Paolites in a direct clash before the Christmas recess.

If all documents are signed in time, Balbinot could make his first appearance in a Valletta shirt today week when they face Xewkija Tigers in an FA Trophy third round tie at the Gozo Stadium.

Valletta are also engaged in talks with St Andrew’s over Matthew Guillaumier. However, they face the competition from Birkirkara who are also showing interest in the 17-year-old midfielder.

Birkirkara yesterday confirmed that Drazen Besek will be their new coach until next June.

The 52-year-old Croatian, who met with his players on Monday evening, has signed a contract until the end of the season, the Stripes said in a statement on their official website.

Besek will be assisted by Josef Mansueto while keepers’ coach Darko Stanekovic and physical trainer Nicholas Jaro were added to his backroom staff.

The Stripes will probably look to add a few new faces next month as some of their senior squad players may opt to seek pastures new.

Birkirkara’s Rowen Muscat is being linked with a move to Italy where he is attracting the interest of Ascoli, currently languishing at the bottom half of the Serie B standings.

Ascoli scouts have already been to Malta to watch the midfielder in action. It seems they are interested in a loan signing with an option to make the move permanent.

Elsewhere, relegation-troubled club Naxxar Lions have decided to release three of their foreign players – Italians Luca Lodetti and Tommaso Sarina and Brazilian Mandinho.

Sources told Times of Malta that Naxxar will operate on a lower budget for the second part of the campaign. Their wage bill at the end of the month will reduce significantly with less foreign players on their payroll.

Naxxar would still have three non-Maltese players as the championship resumes next week – Spanish defender Jose Godar Pereira, Senegal forward Demba Toure and Enyo Hamutenya who they got on loan from Valletta.

Hamutenya, 18, played for Valletta’s youth team this season but coach Zammit reckons the talented defender will continue to show progress with more regular appearances in the BOV Premier League.

Naxxar expect to have a new club president elected in the coming days following the departure of David Vella.

They will be holding an Extraordinary General Meeting next week during which an election will be held. So far, Pierre Sciberras, the club secretary, is the only candidate for the post.

Coblis goes

Pembroke Athleta have released Romanian goalkeeper Andrei Coblis and American midfielder Gibson Bardsley.

Pembroke will have new foreign players on trial this winter as they look to strengthen the squad and continue to distance themselves from the bottom three positions in the league standings.