Former Valletta and Malta central defender Joe Cilia is back in the local game after an absence of a few years.

He was named yesterday as Floriana’s new technical adviser.

He will be lending a helping hand to the Greens new coach Jimmy Briffa who will be replacing Willie Vassallo.

Cilia had played for Valletta and Malta in the 1950s and early 1960s before he emigrated to Australia, where he turned out for Melita Eagles.

On his return he coached several clubs among them Floriana, but also top clubs like Birkirkara, Valletta, Sliema and Hibernians, among several others.