Birkirkara’s drive to recruit emerging talents continued yesterday after they agreed a deal to acquire the services of Malta U-21 international Daniel Zerafa.
The lanky midfielder, who had another year left on his contract with Ħamrun Spartans, agreed personal terms with the Malta champions and is now expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract.
Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, told Times of Malta that he was delighted to have finally completed the deal for a player who has long been on his wish-list.
“Daniel Zerafa is a player I have admired for several months,” Zammit said.
“I have been following his progress ever since he made his senior debut for Ħamrun Spartans as I think he is someone who holds bags of potential.
“Ħamrun were keen to hold on to their player as he represented a key figure in their plans to rebuild a competitive team. But, in the end, they accepted to let him join Bir-kirkara and we’re absolutely delighted with this transfer.”
Zerafa’s signing continues to add further young talent in the Stripes’ midfield department that also boasts the presence of three other U-21 players – Rowen Muscat, Ryan Scicluna and Ryan Camenzuli.
Birkirkara also rely on the experienced Paul Fenech and Gareth Sciberras to run their midfield compartment.
“We have a strong pack of players in midfield but Daniel Zerafa will give us more options to rotate during what promises to be a long and hard season,” Zammit said.
“Our transfer business is not closed yet as we’re still looking at how we can improve the squad further. At the moment we have five foreign players and there is the possibility of adding another one before the transfer deadline.
“So far, no decisions have been taken though.”
Last weekend, Birkirkara had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Sliema Wanderers in the Premier League after Demba Toure’s opener was cancelled by a late Mathias Muc-hardi equaliser.
Missing from the Stripes’ starting formation was Frank Temile, the team’s match-winner in the 2-0 win over Rabat Ajax in their league opener earlier this month.
The Nigerian striker was among the subsitutes but was not utilised even though the Stripes were finding things difficult to open up Sliema’s defence.
Zammit yesterday played down concerns on Temile’s fitness and said the former Dynamo Kiev livewire did not play on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
“Frank played no part against Sliema last weekend because we thought it fit not to take any risks with his fitness,” he said.
“At present, he is nursing a small tear in his quad that happened in training but our medics told us that he could have played against Sliema. However, in the end I felt that it would be better for him to rest a few more days and avoid any complications.
“We expect Frank to be available for our next match against Balzan on Saturday.”
Scorers, Red Cards
Balzan: Agius, Scicluna, Aboulezz, Bezzina.
Red Card: Agius (Vs Vittoriosa Stars).
Birkirkara: Temile 2; Toure.
Floriana: Muir, Diogo.
Hibernians: Edison 2; Levnaic,Farrugia.
Mosta: Fernandez, Kaljevic (Penalty), Brincat.
Naxxar Lions: Gilmar 2; Scerri.
Qormi: Sammut.
Rabat Ajax: Licari.
Sliema Wanderers: Navarra 2, Ohawuchi 2; Muchardi.
Tarxien: Martinelli, Ronaille.
Valletta: Denni 2; Barry, Camilleri.
Red Cards: Agius (Vs Mosta), Denni (Vs Hibernians).
Vittoriosa Stars: Guerrero 2.
Next Fixtures
Saturday (National Stadium)
18.30 Sliema Vs Naxxar Lions
20.30 Valletta Vs Floriana
Saturday
(Victor Tedesco Stadium)
18.30 Vittoriosa Stars Vs Hibernians
20.45 Birkirkara Vs Balzan
Sunday
(National Stadium)
18.30 Rabat Ajax Vs Mosta
20.30 Tarxien Rainbows Vs Qormi