The transfer market opens officially today as the local clubs are expected to start handing in registrations of new players with the MFA after the many transfer rumours of late.
Valletta and Sliema Wanderers are expected to be the busiest sides after concluding several new signings which now have to be confirmed.
Following the appointment of Victor Sciriha as their new president, Valletta have already announced the signing of midfielder Stefan Giglio,German midfielder Heiner Backhaus, goalkeeper Andrew Hogg and defender Josef Mifsud.
Argentine striker Sebastian Monesterolo is expected to return to the side after a short unsuccessful spell in Kuwait.
Two other players, Bikirkara defender Kenneth Scicluna and Msida SJ striker Ibrahim Babatunde may also join Valletta during the transfer period.
According to latest reports on maltafootball.com, Valletta will almost surely release Serbian defender Branko Nisevic, after failing to agree new terms with the club and possible destinations are Floriana or Sliema.
Sliema Wanderers have also been active on the transfer market so far and have already agreed deals with the Floriana international defender Ian Azzopardi and Hibernians under 21 midfielder Matthew Bartolo. While Madzar is being retained by the club, goalkeeper Murphy Akanji may be leaving the Wanderers after his contract expired last month as no new terms have been agreed, reports maltafootball.com.
Sliema are also in the hunt for Msida’s Babatunde or Daniel Bogdanovic to strengthen their attack, but the latter may opt to play abroad although he failed to attract a contract by Norwegian club FC Brann.
Birkirkara’s Etienne Barbara may be another option for the Wanderers. Their defender Lee Lombardi is expected to move to Birkirkara.
The latter are also in a transition period and their squad may include various new faces in the coming season.
They have already signed three players - namely Paul Fenech from Msida SJ, Kenneth Spiteri from Hibernians and Bulgarian defender Emil Yanchev from Marsa. They are expected to sign two new foreign players after releasing keeper Bledzewski, defender Precious Monye and Italian Larrossa.
Champions Marsaxlokk, who lost the services of Luke Dimech, Daniel Bogdanovic and Andre Schembri (all willing to join foreign clubs), are looking for a central defender and two strikers. Shaun Bajada and Andre Rocha Da Silva return with the club after spending the last part of the season on loan with Msida SJ and Hibernians respectively.
Other players expected to change clubs, according to maltafootball.com, are Alfred Effiong (from St George’s to Hamrun Spartans), St George’s defender Emanuel Sevasta is on his way to Floriana while Msida have already confirmed the signing of St George’s duo Lawrence Mizzi and Clive Brincat for the new season. Valletta’s Edafe Uzeh could move to Floriana or Hamrun.