Cain Attard (left) makes a tackle on John Guidetti, of Sweden, during an international U-21 match.

Birkirkara have moved to strengthen their defensive options after snapping up promising youngster Cain Attard from Pietà Hotspurs, the BOV Premier League announced on their website.

“Birkirkara FC completed their fifth signing during this summer transfer window when talented youngster Cain Attard signed a five-year contract with our club,” Birkirkara said on their official website yesterday.

“With the signing of Cain Attard from Pietà Hotspurs, the Stripes continued to strengthen their squad for season 2015-16 where they are widely expected to be among the main challengers for the BOV Premier League.”

A month shy of his 21st birthday, Attard already has Premier League experience after making several appearances for the Hotspurs during their 2014/15 top-flight campaign. Pietà were relegated to Division One at the end of last season.

By capturing one of the most promising right-backs in the country, Birkirkara have already secured a potential replacement for Zach Muscat who is in talks to join Lega Pro club Pisa.

Their move for Attard also indicates Birkirkara’s willingness to maintain their policy of investing in young, homegrown players.

Giovanni Tedesco, the Birkirkara coach, will surely be pleased with his latest signing as he regarded Attard as one of the brightest prospects in Maltese football.

Attard made his debut for the Malta U-21 team, then under the charge of Ray Farrugia, in the 2-1 defeat to Sweden in March last year.

Tedesco has been actively seeking to bring in reinforcements ahead of the start of the 2015/16 domestic season which springs to life on Wednesday when Birkirkara meet champions Hibernians in the BOV Super Cup clash.

The departure of Brazilian striker Liliu, who has offers in Hungary, and Muscat’s possible switch to Pisa have prompted Birkirkara to accelerate their recruitment process.

It also emerged yesterday that Brazilian midfielder-cum-forward Kerlon is due to arrive in Malta tonight for talks with Birkirkara.

Kerlon spent four years on the books of Inter between 2008 and 2012 but failed to break into the Serie A club’s senior squad.

Tedesco is keen to have a closer look at Kerlon before deciding whether to offer him a contract. The 27-year-old Brazilian last played for Miami Dade in the fourth tier of American soccer.

Degabriele starts Padova trial

Young Hibs forward Juergen Degabriele yesterday travelled to Italy to start a trial with Padova.

Degabriele, who turns 19 in October, is also regarded as a bright prospect and already forms part of the Hibernians’ senior squad, albeit his first-team opportunities have been limited.