Andre Schembri

Andre Schembri will play in Germany next season after agreeing a two-year deal with second division club FSV Frankfurt.

The Malta playmaker spent the last two years with Cypriot club AC Omonia Nicosia where he established himself as one of the team’s most influential players.

Schembri, who turns 28 later this month, capped an excellent 2013-14 campaign by hitting 17 goals to finish as AC Omonia’s top scorer.

AC Omonia, who finished fifth in the league, offered Schembri an extension to his contract which expired at the end of the season but the Malta stalwart has opted to join FSV Frankfurt as he is convinced that a move to German football represents a step forward in his career.

Schembri announced his departure from AC Omonia on his Facebook page.

In a heartfelt message to the fans, he described the last two years as the best of his career but added that he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to test himself in a more competitive league.

This will not be Schembri’s first experience in Germany as in the early years of his career, he had spells with Eintracht Braunschweig, who have just been relegated from the Bundesliga, and FC Carl Zeiss Jena.

At FSV Frankfurt, who finished 13th in the 18-team 2nd Bundesliga championship, Schembri will be re-united with Benno Mohlmann who was coach at Eintracht Braunschweig when the former Hibs and Marsaxlokk forward signed for the club.

Schembri returned to Malta on Saturday after making his last appearance for AC Omonia on Friday, a 2-1 defeat to Ermis Aradippou.