Bulgarian central defender Emil Yantchev is expected to join Birkirkara next week if his trial is successful.

Club chairman Victor Zammit told The Malta Independent yesterday that the 31-year-old experienced defender is to start a trial with the club on Monday, but it appears as if the Stripes are almost certain of registering the player who has been suggested to them by their former Bulgarian player Todor Raykov.

Yantchev’s last team in Bulgaria was Levski Sofia but he also played for Burgas. He has played over 300 Premier Division matches and this is what has probably convinced the Stripes already that he will be an ideal replacement for the departed Romanian defender Lucian Dronca.

Meanwhile, Zammit also confirmed that a goalkeeper and a 25-year-old Portuguese defender are also expected to arrive for a trial although their arrival date is not yet known.

The Stripes are still hoping that Haber will play for them next season, but in case he receives an offer from abroad, one of their foreigners will be a goalkeeper.

Their third foreigner will be Nigerian midfielder Precious Monye who has reached terms for a new one year deal with the Stripes.