Dimech to sign one-year deal at Mansfield

Luke Dimech is close to fulfilling his dream of plying his trade in the UK. Yesterday, the Malta defender reached an accord with Mansfield Town on a one-year contract with an option of extending it for another 12 months.

The 26-year-old, currently recovering after knee surgery, held talks with the English Division Three club manager Keith Curle who reinstated his willingness to sign Dimech after his impressive displays at Field Mill at the start of the season.

Contacted yesterday, Dimech said he was relieved to have finally secured a contract with Mansfield.

"I'm really delighted to have reached agreement on a contract which will be signed soon. It was always my ambition to play abroad. This is a great opportunity for me and hopefully the start of a prosperous spell in UK football," Dimech said.

"When I suffered the injury I feared the worst. But the manager wanted to hold on to me and I will do my utmost to repay his faith. Obviously, my long-term goal is to play in a higher division here but to achieve that I must perform consistently well throughout the season."