Veteran goalkeeper Mario Muscat and Malta forward Andrew Cohen expect to see out the rest of their career with Hibs after both agreed new long-term contracts with the Paolites.

The 34-year-old Muscat is poised to ink a four-year deal while Cohen is extending his stay with Hibs for another five years.

The announcement that the two stalwarts have pledged their future to Hibs was made at the club’s annual general meeting on Friday during which president Tony Bezzina was confirmed at the helm of the club, taking his tenure to an astonishing 33 years.

Muscat, the most experienced goalkeeper in the Premier League, revealed that he has spurned the overtures of two other top-flight clubs to prolong his stay with Hibs.

“My wish has always been to finish my career with Hibs,” Muscat told The Sunday Times. “I started playing with the Hibs nursery and made my senior debut for the club at the age of 16.

“To be honest, a few months ago I was approached by two Premier League clubs but Hibs were my first option. I was offered long-term contracts by Hibs and another club but I decided to stay put.

“I still feel fit and this was central to my decision to sign a new four-year contract.”

The former MFA footballer of the year is pleased with the faith Hibs have shown in him.

“This agreement underlines the trust Hibs have in me and this makes me feel very good,” Muscat said. “It has also given me added motivation ahead of the start of my 19th season with the club.

“I want to thank the committee, especially president Tony Bezzina and team manager Jesmond Abela for their support, as well as coach Mark Miller.”

In agreeing a new four-year deal, Muscat has signalled his intent to keep playing for as long as he can but his international future is far less certain as the goalkeeper admitted that he’s considering retiring from the national team.

Capped 68 times, Muscat has struggled for first-team opportunities since the emergence of Justin Haber and Andrew Hogg.

“I believe the time has come to consider retiring from the national team,” Muscat replied when asked about his international future.

“I was selected in the provisional Malta squad for most of the matches played this year. I’ve been sidelined with injury in the past month and that’s why I was not in the initial squad for the Greece qualifier.

“Nevertheless, I’m seriously thinking about calling time on my international career in order to concentrate solely on my club commitments. There are a host of young goalkeepers who have improved a lot in the last few years.

“Before making a decision, I intend to hold talks with national coach John Buttigieg. If I decide to retire, I’d still love to make one final appearance in the Malta shirt.”

Cohen delighted

Like Muscat, Cohen is willing to stay with Hibs for the remainder of his career.

“I’ve been with Hibs for 20 years and I can’t imagine myself wearing the shirt of another club,” Cohen, who turned 30 last month, said.

Widely regarded as the flag-bearer of Hibs, Cohen, whose previous contract expired at the end of last month, said his rapport with Bezzina, the club president, made up his mind to accept the club’s five-year contract offer.

“I like the environment at Hibs and I consider myself not only a player of this club but also a supporter,” Cohen observed.

“Is-Sur Tony (president) is a gentleman and he always keeps his word. He played a key role in my decision to sign a new five-year contract. I also have a good relationship with the Hibs clan and I’m convinced that I’ve made the right choice.”

News that Cohen has committed himself to Hibs will put an end to rampant speculation linking him to a move elsewhere.

Valletta were said to be in pole position to add Cohen to their star-studded squad last season but other clubs, namely Floriana, Qormi and Sliema, were also keen to sign him.

Cohen admitted that he had been tempted by Valletta’s interest.

“Yes, there were times when Valletta were very interested in signing me and I also considered their proposal because it was an important offer,” Cohen said.

“I was flattered by the interest of other clubs but I’m happy that I’ve decided to stay with Hibs.”

After upsetting the odds to clinch the Premier League title in 2008/09, Hibs endured two dismal campaigns, especially last season when they failed to qualify for the Championship Pool.

Cohen acknowledged that Hibs must strengthen their squad to improve their chances of challenging for important targets.

“The president has promised the fans that the club’s committee is working hard to bring in new players,” Cohen said.

“My objective is to achieve more success with Hibs. In the last five years, we’ve won every honour in Maltese football. I’d be very happy if we repeat the success we’ve had in the last five years. On an individual level, I’d love to win the MFA player of the year award again.”

Meanwhile, Bezzina also announced on Friday that Hibs have acquired two Brazilian players, forward Luis Edison dos Santos, formerly of Vittoriosa Stars, and 27-year-old defender Diego Douglas Balbinot who last played in Hungary.

The Paolites are also closing in on two Nigerian U-21 players who are expected to travel to Malta in the coming days and have also completed the permanent signing of Malta U-21 forward Steve Pisani from San Ġwann.