The official presentation of Valletta’s Brazilian newcomer striker, Andrade Antunes Anderson was held yesterday.

Club president Victor Sciriha told reporters that this was the second big signing effected during the January market, after the Club had concluded the permanent move of international midfielder Ryan Fenech from Hamrun who was signed on a five year contract.

Sciriha explained that the Club was now looking at enforcing the team in order to enhance the chances of securing more silverware this season simultaneously strengthening the squad for the years to follow.

Sciriha said Valletta were also looking towards the future. “We now have a very strong squad and our eyes are beyond Malta. We wish to do well in the European competitions, as it is the only way a local club can obtain much needed finances. Last year, we almost qualified to the third round of the Europea League. Now with the foreigners we have and with the possible return of Njongo Priso, we will be in a better position to offer a stronger challenge next season,” he said.

Valletta F.C. have signed Anderson for the rest of this season with an option to extend the contract for another year.

Sciriha emphasised that Anderson is a very potential striker who has played with top clubs in Brazil, Japan, Korea and Costa Rica. He was born on 15 November 1981. In 2006, he finished seventh best scorer with 17 goals, playing professional football in the Japanese J2 League for Mito Hollyhock.

Anderson had another marvellous spell in the same league in 2008 , when he scored 16 goals in 36 matches playing for another top club in the J2 League, Yakohama F.C. After this, Anderson went on to play for Brazilian club Rio Branco de Andradas (2009) and Costa Rica Premier Division Brujas FC . With this club, the player scored eight goals in nine games (2009) and three goals in the first nine games of this current season before being transferred to Valletta F.C.

The player was also temporarily loaned to Korean top club (K – League) Daegu FC (2010) , where he scored two goals in eight league games , and one goal in three league cup appearances, before returning to his original club Brujas FC.

Coach Jesmond Zerafa thanked the club president for the two new arrivals. He said he already had a very competitive squad but now he was sure that these two players will further enhance Valletta’s prospects of winning the title and other silverware this season.

He said he now has a headache regards team selection as he has a powerful squad with valid players, but added he preferred it to be that way. “It is good to see the players competing against each other for a place in the team’s starting line up. We have no problems because of selection. In fact, no player has requested a transfer, despite the still competition within our ranks,” he added.

He went on to thank the players for their great determination. “They do not want a repetition of what happened in the past two years.

The club president also appealed to the fans to make sure of good behaviour at the Stadium during the club’s league matches. “We have been paying a lot of euros to the MFA in fines, although we are contesting some of them. In all we have been charged 18 times by the MFA and it is not fair for those persons collecting money in the name of the club seeing the money doing into the MFA’s coffers this way,” he said.

He also announced that tomorrow week, the club will be holding a rally for the fans on the eve of the match against Floriana. “We will be telling our supporters that we need them to tease our rivals, but we will never accept them offending anyone,” he said.

Near the end he also appealed to the MFA to introduce the CCTV system at Ta’ Qali as soon as possible. “This might help to solve a good number of the incidents which we have to pay for,” he remarked.