Alan Da Silva Souza in action for Valletta two years ago.

Balzan FC have made a significant capture in this winter’s transfer window after getting the signature of Brazilian attacking midfielder Alan Da Silva Souza.

Balzan are keen to revive their title ambitions after two successive league defeats to Tarxien (3-0) and Valletta (1-2) and a goalless draw against Pembroke Athleta saw them slid down to sixth in the Premier League standings.

Coach Oliver Spiteri has re-ceived the backing of the club chiefs to bring in reinforcements this month and his first major coup was Da Silva Souza who agreed terms and put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

This will be Da Silva Souza’s second spell in Maltese football after having played for Valletta in 2014, helping the Citizens to become league champions.

Balzan intend to add more options to their squad in January as it was also confirmed yesterday that they’ve opened negotiations with Birkirkara to sign the unsettled Paul Fenech.

Fenech’s future with the Stripes was put in doubt late last year after he fell out of favour following an argument he had with former coach Giovanni Tedesco.

The 29-year-old was handed a club ban and sat out the team’s last two matches against Pembroke Athleta (3-0) and Mosta (3-0).

Balzan have stepped up their interest in Fenech and made an official bid for the Malta international midfielder.

It seems that Balzan could offer their player Edison Bilboa Zarate in a deal that would see Fenech, 29, going the other way.

Birkirkara FC president Adrian Delia said: “I can confirm that Balzan have made an approach to sign our midfielder Paul Fenech this month.

“Negotiations are ongoing but no agreement has yet been reached. Having Edison Bilbao Zarate at us as part of the deal is one of the options being considered but it’s no way a foregone conclusion.

“We are still working on the terms of the deal and there could be other players that could be included in the transfer.”

If Balzan are successful in their pursuit of Fenech, he will become the second midfield player to leave Birkirkara this month.

Last week, the Stripes concluded negotiations with Ascoli Picchio FC over the transfer of midfielder Rowen Muscat. He moved to the Serie B club on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the deal permanent in summer.

Muscat left Malta yesterday for Rome where today he is expected to undergo a medical before sealing his transfer to Ascoli.

Meanwhile, Balzan accepted Pembroke’s bid to take young midfielder Terrence Agius on loan until the end of the season.

Agius joined Balzan from Pietà Hotspurs last January but failed to break into Spiteri’s first team and has now moved to Pembroke in search of more playing time in the top flight.

Balzan continue to monitor the situation of their goalkeeper Valerio Senatore.

The Italian was feeling unwell lately and had medical tests but Balzan are keeping their options open on whether to bring in cover for the former Floriana custodian this month.

In fact, Balzan are likely to have two goalkeepers, one Italian and the other from France, training at the club for a short trial.