Fresh from inking a new three-year deal with Birkirkara, Trevor Cilia had further cause to celebrate last night when he was named best player of the 2009/10 Premier League at the ninth edition of the Melita Malta Football Awards.
Cilia was not the only member of Birkirkara's title-winning team to be honoured at yesterday's ceremony, held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, as fellow midfielders Shaun Bajada and Rowen Muscat, two other top performers for the Stripes last season, and coach Paul Zammit also landed an award.
Bajada was pipped by Cilia in the best Premier League player category but the Gozitan claimed the best midfielder prize for which his fellow Birkirkara team-mate was also nominated.
The two Birkirkara stalwarts are both regarded as strong candidates for the MFA Footballer of the Year award and their success at yesterday's contest vindicated their status.
The announcement of the winner of the best Premier League coach category came as no surprise as Zammit was everyone's favourite to win it after guiding Birkirkara to the league title.
In winning the best coach accolade for 2009/10, Zammit also set a new record as he became the first nominee to top his Melita Awards category with maximum points after receiving first-preference votes from all those who took part in the ballot... the presidents, coaches and captains of the 10 Premier League clubs and over 60 football journalists.
Muscat, the young Birkirkara midfielder, was also rewarded for his outstanding campaign as he collected the most promising player award.
Qormi also earned recognition for their positive campaign as Brazilian striker Camilo was named best striker and fellow countryman Ramon captured the best defender award.
Gilbert Agius was the only Valletta player on the winners' list yesterday as the City captain topped the best veteran (over 35) category.
Tarxien Rainbows, whose top-six finish last season was the best in the club's history, had two players among the winners.
Anthony Curmi scooped the best goalkeeper award after edging Birkirkara's Jorge Mora by a single point. Brazilian forward Denni, also of Tarxien, was voted best foreign player.
Alfred Mizzi, the former Malta and Hibs goalkeeper, was the recipient of the Special Career Award in recognition of his achievements during his playing time while three other active players were presented with special awards for their contribution last season.
Malta defender Andrei Agius, who spent the second half of last season with Italian Serie C2 side Melfi, was honoured for his performances for the national team in 2009-10.
Striker Michael Mifsud was feted for his feat in breaking Carmel Busuttil's scoring record for Malta when he netted his 24th goal in the 2-1 defeat to Finland in a friendly match last March.
Daniel Bogdanovic, another Malta international, received a special award for his excellent season with English Championship club Barnsley.
The 30-year-old Bogdanovic last night announced that he will be joining Sheffield United this summer after agreeing a three-year deal with the Championship club.
Bogdanovic, who is a free agent, is believed to have been a target for a host of other English clubs, including Leeds United, Derby County, Hull and Reading, as well as teams in Greece and Turkey.
However, he has opted to join Sheffield United who have strong links with Malta through their sponsorship agreement with the Malta Tourism Authority.
LIST OF WINNERS
Best defender: Ramon (Qormi).
Best striker: Camilo (Qormi).
Best veteran (O-35): Gilbert Agius (Valletta).
Most promising youngster: Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara).
Best Premier League player: Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara).
Best midfielder: Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara).
Best coach: Paul Zammit (Birkirkara).
Best goalkeeper: Anthony Curmi (Tarxien Rainbows).
Best foreign player: Denni (Tarxien).
Best Division One player: Martin Deanov (Marsaxlokk).
Best Division Two player: Anatole Debono (St Andrews).
Best Division Three player: Malcolm Tirchett (Luqa SA).
Best women's player: Sonia Farrugia (Sliema Raiders)/Joslene Gafa (Gozo).
Best futsal player: Florin Anton (ZC Excess).
Best GFA Div. One player: Jean Paul Grima (Victoria Hotspurs).