Birkirkara favourites to snap up his signature

Birkirkara have emerged as clear favourites to sign 23-year-old Nigerian player Orosco Anonam, who recently returned to Malta after his transfer to Cypriot club Apoel Nicosia fell through.

This was confirmed by the player himself. Anonam told The Times that Birkirkara are his first option should he remain in Malta by the time the transfer window reopens on January 1.

"Birkirkara have shown great interest in me since I returned to Malta. They have taken the matter very seriously," Anonam said yesterday.

"I can confirm that I have had talks with them and we reached an agreement that I would sign for Birkirkara if no offer from abroad comes along by the time the transfer window reopens."

In the past two seasons, Anonam, who previously turned out for Naxxar Lions when he first came to Malta and later for Sliema Wanderers, has been transferred overseas, first to Vasas SC of Hungary and lately to Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus.

Both deals collapsed due to the two foreign clubs' failure to pay part of the player's transfer fees as agreed with Naxxar Lions and Sliema Wanderers respectively.

Since his return to Malta last month, Anonam has been the subject of transfer speculation as several clubs, including his former team Sliema Wanderers and Valletta, are believed to have expressed an interest in him.

Anonam confirmed that other leading clubs in Malta had approached him but he said Birkirkara pressed most for his signature.

Although Anonam is willing to join the Stripes, his heart is still set on a move to a foreign club. "I am keeping my options open and I'm still in regular contact with my foreign representative who is negotiating with Apoel Nicosia over the payment of my dues as stipulated in the contract I had with them."

Contacted yesterday, FIFA-licensed agent Damian Iwueke, who brought Anonam to Malta, said: "I am aware that Anonam is being chased by a number of local clubs but Birkirkara are the only club that have officially requested me to help them sign Anonam.

"The club have made their proposal to the player through me. From discussions we have had together, if Anonam is to play again in Malta come next January, that club are likely to be Birkirkara."

Anonam is currently training with the Nigerian Stars selection every morning at the Marsa training ground, under the guidance of Iwueke who founded and is sponsoring the amateur side.

Birkirkara, joint-second with Valletta in the Premier League standings on 18 points, have made the signing of an attacking player one of their chief priorities after their rather inconsistent start to league campaign.

If the Anonam deal does go through in January, Birkirkara would have to release one of the three foreign players they have on their books, namely Czech Republic midfielder Jaroslav Marx, Nigerian defender Sunday Eboh and Romanian Lucian Dronca.

Victor Zammit, the Birkirkara chairman, said: "We have been engaged in discussions with Anonam and agent Iwueke for quite a long time. The player has pledged to play for Birkirkara in January. On our part, we have agreed not to stand in his way should he receive an offer from a foreign club."

Asked whether the club have already decided which of the three overseas players would make way for Anonam, Zammit said: "We have not made a decision. The performances of the three foreign players will continue to be assessed throughout the coming weeks and the decision will only be made when and if the Anonam transfer is confirmed."

Birkirkara are likely to make fresh inroads into the market when the transfer window re-opens. Hamrun defender Charlò Magro is one of their main targets alongside team-mate Mauro Brincat.