Local champions Birkirkara FC are showing keen interest in signing trialist goalkeeper Michael Fraser, 26, from Scotland.
The goalie, who has been here in Malta for the past fortnight seems to have left a favourable impression on the Stripes especially during training session, as he was only in action once in a friendly against Pieta Hotspurs last week. The Stripes won that match 1-0, but Fraser was not bothered much by the first division side.
His main test will arrive on Friday as the Stripes will be taking part in a friendly triangular tournament with Premier clubs Hamrun Spartans and Tarxien Rainbows at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Fraser started his professional playing career in Scotland’s top division with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2002.
There, his first team breakthrough came when Mark Brown signed for Celtic in January 2007. Fraser made a memorable save in a 3–2 home win over Celtic the following season and was first-choice at Inverness until he conceded five goals against Rangers on 1 November 2008.
At Inverness CT, Fraser made 73 appearances.
Fraser joined Motherwell in the summer of last year. He made his Motherwell debut in the Europa League qualifying defeat against Llanelli and rarely featured for the club after the arrival of John Ruddy on loan from Everton.
Darren Randolph became Motherwell’s first team choice with Fraser being confined to the bench. But last 31 August he was released. He had a trial at Third Division Montrose, but they could not provide him with a guarantee of full-time football and is still searching for a club.
At Motherwell he made eight appearances.
Fraser is now in Malta thanks to the same agent who brought defender Ryan Harding over to join the Stripes. Sources very close to the Stripes have told The Malta Independent that the champions are close to securing his services, at least till the end of the season.
It is to be noted that Birkirkara’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Ezequiel Lovizon, is out of action at least till the end of the year, after fracturing his hand after only three minutes of the club’s first match against Sliema Wanderers last month. At present the champions’ only top class goalkeeper is former Msida St Joseph goalkeeper Manwel Bartolo.