The long-term relationship between Kris Laferla and Valletta FC came to an end yesterday after the 35-year-old agreed to join Sliema Wanderers and put pen to paper on an 18-month contract.
Laferla's departure from Valletta had been somewhat expected these days after the veteran midfielder, arguably City's most successful skipper ever, had fell out-of-favour with new coach Dennis Fenech.
However, for the City fans it will be hard to fathom, seeing one of their stalwarts leaving the club in acrimonious circumstances and joining one of their main rivals in the Premier League.
"I am really saddened that my days with Valletta are over, true I never thought this day will come," Laferla admitted yesterday.
"The time I spent there is something every player would dream of experiencing... the fans are smashing and the club is great. However, once differences came out between me and the coach I knew straightaway that the only way for me was to seek pastures new.
"There was no way we could solve our problems and with my career nearing its end I was looking to play regular football rather than sit on the bench."
After moving to the capital from Luxol St Andrews, aged 18, Valletta FC were Laferla's only club. While with the Citizens he played 65 times for Malta and won over 20 domestic honours, including six league titles and six FA Trophy medals.
He also skippered the side to two memorable campaigns. In 1996-97 he was an influential figure in the side that swept all five honours at stake and in 2000-2001 he bettered that record when he captained the Citizens to a six-trophy haul, including the coveted Centenary Cup at the expense of big rivals Floriana.
"It is very difficult to pick up the best moment in my career with Valletta. Practically, in each season I played the team was there, challenging for the honours. However, the time when we made a clean sweep of the honours, six of them, was perhaps the greatest," Laferla said.
"During that season no one was tipping the team to lift a single trophy let alone all six of them. Besides, winning the unique Centenary Cup against Floriana made that season even more special."
Laferla is now focused to start a new experience and looking to finish his career on a high.
"This will be a new experience for me... a big challenge I guess because I want to show I can still give a good contribution to my new team. There's no time to lose and I want to adapt myself to the new surroundings quickly.
"Sliema have been after the league for quite some time now. Hopefully, I can pay them back for the faith they have shown in me by helping them finish on top."
At Sliema, Laferla will find old acquaintances in coach Edward Aquilina, and former City team-mates Danilo Doncic, Jeffrey Chetcuti and Nenad Veselji.
Aquilina, Valletta coach a few years back, was delighted that Laferla had opted for Sliema.
"Kris is a great player and a natural leader. His presence in the team will certainly be of great value especially now that the championship race is reaching a decisive phase," Aquilina said.