Debono leaves Pietà for Valletta as Birkirkara snap up 'keeper Darmanin

Pietà Hotspurs were thought to have completed their offloadings for the January transfer window after the departure of prolific striker Ivan Woods to Sliema Wanderers earlier this month.

However, that was not the end of it apparently as yesterday two other members of the Hotspurs team, goalkeeper and skipper Saviour Darmanin and midfielder Anatole Debono left for on loan transfers until the end of the season to Birkirkara and Valletta respectively.

While Debono's departure had long been in the air after the midfielder had asked to leave as he fell out of favour with new coach Georgi Deanov, Darmanin's sudden move will come as a surprise to many.

This evening, Birkirkara have lined up a friendly at the St Aloysius College ground during which Serb goalkeeper Milos Grilic will play for Dingli Swallows against a Stripes' selection.

Grilic arrived in Malta last weekend and reportedly ready to sign for Birkirkara as the club's administrators were seeking to add more strength-in-depth with Justin Haber the only valid and fully-fit goalkeeper in Stephen Azzopardi's squad.

Birkirkara FC chairman Victor Zammit yesterday told The Times that Darmanin will be their second goalkeeper but Grilic's trial is still on. They had settled the goalkeeper's issue until May but the club is looking further than that.

"Saviour Darmanin will be in our squad until the end of the season," he said.

"We were looking for a quality goalkeeper to complement our squad. However, we are still interested to see Grilic in action as we're keeping all options open for next season.

"We thought signing Darmanin was the best possible route for us. Now, we do not have to worry about releasing one of our foreign players to make way for Grilic."

Debono, 25, was dropped by Deanov for most of the time this season, including Sunday's match against Floriana which finished one-all.

That result almost spelt finis to the Hotspurs' chances of making the Championship Pool and practically triggered the committee's decision to part with more players other than Woods.

Debono, a former U-21 international, is now looking to a new challenge at Valletta who play Birkirkara on Sunday.

"I know, it will be difficult for me to play regular football at Valletta," he said.

"They've done pretty well so far and I guess the coach will not change a winning team easily.

"However, I am ready to face the challenge and give my contribution. Valletta are a great club and I'm sure they will be among the main contenders for honours at the end of the season."

There was some bad news for high-riding Valletta though. Yesterday, Jaroslav Marx, the sturdy midfielder, was told to stay out of the game until the end of the season to cure a hip injury.

The Czech still has 18 months on his contract at Valletta FC. He will seek treatment abroad and return for pre-season next summer, a club insider said.

Meanwhile, Birkirkara now enjoy the luxury of having the top two 'keepers on the island.

Haber has played in goal in Malta's last few matches and Darmanin was his substitute ever since Mario Muscat was axed from the national squad way back in September.

Birkirkara have already signed Etienne Barbara from Marsaxlokk this month and the club is also eyeing Floriana defender Ian Azzopardi.

Another Premier League club seeking to sign a new goalkeeper are Msida SJ. They have Omar Borg serving suspension and his replacement, Maurizio Valastro, fractured his hand during Sunday's 3-2 upset to St Patrick.

Msida are likely to sign Paul Psaila, the Luqa SA goalkeeper who today should decide if he intends to leave the Division Three outfit or not.

Frendo option?

Marsaxlokk were probably the most active Premier League club in the transfer market so far this month.

They signed two new foreign players and talented midfielder Shaun Bajada from Floriana who are currently giving trial to two Nigerian forwards.

A Marsaxlokk FC spokesman yesterday said their new acquisitions have lifted the team significantly but they are still seeking an extra recruit up front to make up for the loss of Barbara to Birkirkara.

Would Cleaven Frendo do perhaps? Don't know, no comment - was the prompt reply.

Surely, the Marsaxlokk delegates would require a Herculean task and a lump sum to lure Frendo to their fold as the Malta international is still under contract and at this stage Pietà would not dream to offload another player... or would they?