Ferencváros arrive today for two-week training camp
Goalkeeper Haber set to extend loan deal
Hungarian club Ferencváros yesterday confirmed plans to return to Malta for a two-week training camp, starting today.
The intense training programme will provide Ferencváros' newly-appointed manager Craig Short with the perfect opportunity to stamp his own style and tactics on the team.
Sheffield United's strong links with Malta helped its sister club Ferencváros set up a base camp at the Ta' Qali training grounds. The two clubs staged warm weather training camps in 2009, with Ferencváros returning in January during Hungarian football's traditional winter break.
Commonly known as 'Fradi', Ferencváros are Hungary's most successful team, having secured 28 league titles and 20 Cup wins. In 1965, they became the only Hungarian club to lift the European Cup.
All eyes will no doubt be on Maltese goalkeeper Justin Haber who is currently playing for Ferencváros on loan from Sheffield United.
Having left a positive impression during a short spell with Ferencvaros last year, Haber is set to extend his loan deal with the Hungarian top-division club until the end of this season.
Haber has already linked up with Ferencváros who are scheduled to play four matches against local teams during their stay in Malta.
Their first match will be an evening fixture against Malta's U-21 team at the Ta' Qali train-ing grounds next Wednesday. Additional fixtures will include a triangular tournament involving Ferencváros, Ħamrun Spartans and Mosta, a game against Sliema Wanderers and a friendly against a Gozo Select Team.
During their stay in Malta, the Ferencváros players and coaches will embrace a number of community events, including a fund-raising activity in support of the Dar tal-Providenza and a coaching session for Maltese junior teams.
Krisztian Berki, the Ferencváros chief executive, said: "Last year we enjoyed staging a warm weather training camp in Malta in conjunction with Sheffield United. We were so impressed with the facilities the island has to offer that it was an easy decision to return, so the squad can benefit from the warmer training conditions.
"Ferencváros has the biggest fan base in Hungary, so we hope this visit will provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our two countries."