Kevin Sammut was an up-and-coming youngster when a successful loan spell with Ħamrun Spartans enhanced his then blossoming reputation.
Ten years on and Sammut, now 30, has rejoined the Spartans on loan from Valletta fully intent on recapturing his status as one of the country’s leading midfielders.
“This is a new career challenge for me,” Sammut told reporters yesterday.
“I know the atmosphere at Ħamrun... this is one of the biggest clubs in Malta. The decision to join them was mine, no-one forced me to leave Valletta.
“If everything goes according to plan, I’m confident that this team can have a good season.
“I want to thank the coach (Jesmond Zammit) and the committee for the faith they’ve shown in me. I believe that together, we can reach the objectives set by the club.”
Faced with a question if his move had been motivated by a desire to secure regular first-team action, Sammut said: “I wouldn’t say that I came here because I wasn’t playing with Valletta.
“I started the away game against Ekranas (Champions League). However, you can’t concentrate fully on the next game if you’re not sure that you’re going to play.
“I believe that a player must know at least one day before the game whether he’s starting or not to ensure maximum focus.”
Zammit said Sammut is the last Maltese signing for the club this summer.
“Sammut is our final acquisition from the local camp before the start of the season,” the coach said.
“In our pre-season friendlies, we identified those areas that needed strengthening and tried to bring in players in these positions.”
Ħamrun’s top priority this season is to gain a place in the Championship Pool.
Zammit said: “We want to steer clear of the red zone and that target can only be achieved by securing a place in the Championship Pool.
“Then we will revise our objectives at the end of the first phase, depending on our position.”
Zammit is expected to finalise his selection of foreign players in the coming days.
Brazilian forward Anderson Ribeiro and German midfielder Heiner Backhaus have already signed. The Spartans are also waiting for the transfer certificate of Nigerian striker Joseph Okonkwo who had a brief spell with Valletta last season.
Frendo’s blue move
Cleaven Frendo has completed his loan move to Sliema Wanderers after the Blues agreed terms with Valletta, yesterday.
Frendo, who spent last season on loan at Qormi, had initially showed intentions to joining newcomers Mosta but renewed interest from Sliema prompted the 26-year-old winger to make a U-turn and sign for Danilo Doncic’s team instead.
It also emerged yesterday that Qormi have all but abandoned their hopes of signing ex-Floriana striker Daniel Nwoke, of Nigeria.
It seems that the two parties couldn’t reach an accord over financial terms.
Meanwhile, Marsaxlokk are hopeful of concluding transfer negotiations with Hibernians to sign Malta Under-21 defender Jonathan Xerri.