John Buttigieg is the new coach of Sliema Wanderers, the Premier League club announced.

Negotiations between the former Malta international defender and Wanderers president Keith Perry had been ongoing before a deal was struck yesterday.

Buttigieg starts his new job on Monday. He will be assisted by Ivan Woods.

For Buttigieg, the appointment at Sliema marks his return to senior club football since he was relieved of his duties as Malta national coach in 2011.

Buttigieg takes over from Italian Alfonso Greco who stepped down at the end of last season after guiding the team to the FA Trophy following a penalty shoot-out victory in the final over Balzan, last month.

Buttigieg’s priority will be to assemble a competitive squad for the upcoming campaign with the Wanderers not involved in UEFA club competitions this summer.

Insiders told Times of Malta the club have already opened negotiations with key midfielder Mark Scerri as Sliema intend to extend his contract.

Elsewhere, newcomers Ħamrun Spartans are closing in on the signing of Daren Falzon, who played for Naxxar last term.

If the deal goes through Falzon, 24, would become Ħamrun’s first signing of the close season.

The Spartans are also showing keen interest in wing-back Manolito Micallef, who played for Pembroke Athleta in the top flight in 2015-16.

However, they could be without striker Haruna Garba for the start of the new campaign as the Nigerian is in line for a call-up to his country’s squad for the football tournament at the Rio Olympics in August.

Garba was instrumental in helping Ħamrun secure promotion from Division One last season after netting 19 goals for the Reds to finish runners-up to Gżira United.

It seems that his performances had caught the eye of Nigeria Olympic selection coach Salomon Siasia who hinted he might include the Reds’ forward in his squad for the trip to Brazil.

Nigeria were drawn to face Sweden, Japan and Colombia in Group B in the Rio qualifiers.

Alves stays

Wing-back Alex Alves has signed a new one-year contract with Tarxien Rainbows.

The Brazilian established himself as one of the best overseas players in the Premier League last season and Tarxien moved quickly to retain his services for another year.

The Rainbows are also in talks to prolong the contracts of Argentine striker Sergio Prendes and Nigerian defender Ebiabowei Baker.

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