Club parades eight new signings

Msida St Joseph may be relatively new to the top division of Maltese football but they have bold intentions of ensuring a long permanence among the elite.

Msida vice-president Kevin Deguara, speaking at a presentation of the new signings at the Les Lapins Hotel, stated that their objective is not just to build a competitive side but to gradually establish themselves in the Premiership.

"We are on the doorstep of what promises to be an historic season for Msida St Joseph," Deguara said. "Our club has been missing from the top flight for over 20 years and naturally, our return to the Premier League has generated huge enthusiasm in our town. Everyone is looking forward to the new campaign and we hope that this will be the first of many years in the top flight.

"Having said that, we know that it's not going to be easy. There are huge financial constraints involved if one wants to be competitive but we believe that, with the help of our sponsors and the people close to our club, we can reach our objective.

"We have tried to strengthen our squad without putting our club in a difficult financial position and we are more than pleased with our eight new signings."

Deguara said that Msida, who start their Premier League commitments on Sunday against Hibs, have confirmed Joe Grech as the team coach for the new season and also kept most of the players that helped them obtain promotion to the Premier League.

The only players to leave the club were Jeremy Agius, who returned to Valletta and Jesmond Delia and Julian Briffa, who rejoined Floriana.

The club have bolstered the squad in all departments. They acquired the services of goalkeeper Mark Debono from Rabat, defenders Gordon Ohaegbu and Josef Mifsud, who were on the books of Sliema, and Italian Manuel Doni, 22, who joined from Interregionale side Ferentino.

The Saints have also signed up two former Malta U-21 midfielders on loan, Victor Bellia and Josef Farrugia. Bellia spent last season on loan with Hibs while Farrugia played for Marsaxlokk.

Former Marsa striker Malcolm Tirchett and 18-year-old Nigerian Aganun Oluschoal, who played with the primavera side of Italian Serie B club Reggiana up to two seasons ago, were also signed to bolster their attack.

Oluschoal is expected to partner his compatriot Daniel Nwoke who was retained by the club after talks with Belgian club FC Ghent collapsed.

Club treasurer Antoine Portelli said that the club have managed to retain several sponsorship deals with leading companies in Malta, namely Mira Motors, local agents for Honda, Fitgar, Jack Frost, Busy Bee, Pantalesco, Coleiro Group of Companies and Teamsport.

Portelli revealed that the club have also drawn up plans to install an artificial surface at their seven-a-side pitch. "Our long-term project is to transform our pitch into a sports complex but this initiative requires the support of our sponsors and the authorities," Portelli said.