Briffa agrees City terms but transfer not finalised yet

Roderick Briffa is all set to complete his switch from Sliema Wanderers to Valletta in the coming days after agreeing personal terms with the Premier League champions yesterday.

The versatile Malta midfielder was given the green light by Sliema to hold talks with Valletta after the two clubs reported significant progress in their negotiations over the transfer.

Victor Sciriha, the Valletta president, yesterday told The Times that Briffa has agreed a five-year contract with the Citizens but pointed out that the transfer has yet to go through after striker Ian Zammit declined Sliema's offer to join them on loan until the end of the season as part of the Briffa deal.

"Roderick Briffa has agreed a five-year contract with Valletta FC," Sciriha said.

"At the time of speaking, Briffa's transfer from Sliema has yet to be finalised as the two clubs are still in discussion.

"They requested the services of Ian Zammit on loan until the end of the season but the player doesn't want to leave. I must stress that we do not intend to part with Zammit, so it's up to him really to decide.

"We had already made a bid for Briffa before they expressed their interest in Zammit. I'm confident that an agreement will be reached soon."

Zammit, 21, is also a target for Premier League strugglers Qormi but Valletta coach Paul Zammit is known to be keen on keeping the former Malta U-21 forward.

The coach could be more receptive to the idea of offloading one or two of his midfield players in view of the imminent arrival of Briffa and the signing of Brazilian Paulo Massaro, whose international transfer certificate was received by the Malta FA yesterday.

Massaro is expected to make his first appearance for the Citizens in Sunday's match against Tarxien Rainbows.

Widely acclaimed as one of the most talented players in the Premier League, Briffa joined the Wanderers from Birkirkara in the summer of 2007. He has been one of Sliema's most influential players this season but financial constraints are thought to be the only reason behind Sliema's decision to seriously consider Valletta's lucrative offer for the 27-year-old.

It is believed that Valletta have already acceded to Sliema's request that Briffa plays for them in Saturday's crunch fixture against Hibs, even in the event that the parties reach agreement on his transfer in the next two days.

Meanwhile, Qormi and Marsaxlokk are still engaged in talks over Steve Wellman. The latter is currently serving a 28-day club ban but this has not deterred Qormi from stepping up their efforts to sign the former Malta left-back.

Qormi are hoping for a swift conclusion to their discussions so that Wellman can make his debut for Jesmond Zerafa's team in Sunday's key match against Msida St Joseph.

Informed sources also told The Times that Briffa's potential move to Valletta could prompt Zerafa to approach the Citizens over Jonathan Bondin or David Camilleri.

Protest hearing

Marsaxlokk's protest against their 2-1 defeat to Sliema Wanderers last weekend will be heard by the Malta FA Protests' Board tomorrow.

The complaint is related to the registration of Sliema's Costa Rican striker Victor Ortega Coto.

Coto scored the opening goal in the Wanderers' 2-1 victory over Marsaxlokk.

Galabov suspended

Rumen Galabov, of Hibs, was suspended one match by the Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner yesterday.

The Bulgarian midfielder, the only Premier League player on the suspensions list, will skip Hibs' match against Sliema on Saturday.