Dronca set for Sliema move

Former Birkirkara defender Lucian Dronca is set to return to Maltese football after yesterday he agreed a move to Sliema Wanderers till the end of the season.

Steve Abela, president of Sliema Wanderers, yesterday confirmed to The Times that they have concluded talks with the Romanian defender who is expected to arrive in Malta today to undergo a medical before signing his contract.

Dronca, who enjoyed a positive spell with Birkirkara a few years back, last played in Singapore with Woodlands Wellington.

The Romanian was lured to Singapore by Karim Bencherifa, the former Floriana coach who until recently was at the helm of a top-division club in India. He will replace Croatian striker Kosta Bjedov who has been released by the Wanderers.

Abela also said that the opening of the January transfer window will mean that young Costa Rica striker Victor Coto is now free to play for Sliema after the club completed his registration this week.

The 17-year-old Coto, who holds an Italian passport, has been training with the Wanderers for the past four months.

However, Coto could also set for an early move away from Sliema as a Greek club have reportedly enquired about his services.

At present Sliema also have a young Italian defender on trial, Sam Furfaro, who was brought up through the youth ranks of Serie A club Roma.

If Furfaro were to impress coach Stephen Azzopardi during his trial to the point of being awarded a contract, Sliema may seek to offload a couple of defenders from the current squad.

Daniel Severino, the Australian midfielder, is the other overseas player registered on the club's books.