Valletta’s new signing, Heiner Backhaus, of Germany, has been considered as a quite talented player, although he never made his break-through.

Informed sources in Germany have told The Malta Independent that in his youth, Backhaus played for Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen, two big Bundesliga clubs. But advancing into the senior ranks his career stagnated.

The same sources said he changed clubs on second and third level every year. When he got a contract at a Bundesliga club he didn’t succeed and didn’t play in the first team. Obviously he is not the most easiest of characters.

Player profile

Youth at Schalke and Bremen

2000/01 RW Essen (Third Division)

2001/02 Hannover 96 (Second Division)

July – December 02 Union Berlin (Second Division)

January – June 03 Preuben Münster (Third Division)

July 03 – December 03 AEK Larnaca (Cyprus)

January 04 – December 04 Mönchengladbach (First Division,

but he did not play)

January – December 05 Arminia Bielefeld (First

Division, but he only played for the amateur team)

January 06 – June 07 Kickers Offenbach (Second

Division).

Altogether he has played 18 matches in the

German Second Division and 38 matches in the

Third Division.

Backhaus is the third foreigner on Valletta’s books for next season. The others are Serbian defender Branco Nisevic and Argentine striker Sebastian Monesterolo. Valletta have also signed their former midfield star Stefan Giglio from Sliema.

New president Victor Sciriha is keen on pushing City back into the place they belong to. In the past six seasons, the Citizens rarely put their name on some silverware. That trend is now expected to stop with Sciriha’s arrival at the helm.