Mifsud dissolved of contract
Tells Kaiserslautern he wants to return to Maltese football
Michael Mifsud's stay with former German champions FC Kaiserslautern was brought to an end yesterday when the Bundesliga club agreed to dissolve the player from his contract which was to finish on June 30 next year.
Kaiserslautern's official website fck.de yesterday reported that Mifsud, 23, had told the club he wanted to leave Germany for private reasons.
fck.de reported Mifsud was seeking a return home to play for a Maltese club. It added the player did not mention the Maltese club's name.
Mifsud joined Kaiserslautern in summer of 2001. In that particular period he was midway through his contract with Sliema Wanderers who still decided to let the Malta international striker go and let him have the opportunity to play abroad in a top European league.
The deal included a clause which said Sliema were entitled to 15 per cent of the transfer fee if Kaiserslautern were to transfer the player and the right of first option if he returns to Maltese football.
Mifsud, who made 21 appearances and scored two goals for Kaiserslautern, had extended his contract by another 12 months on April 23. However, this season he lost his place in the squad and played mainly in the regional league.
Contacted yesterday, Sliema Wanderers president Robert Arrigo said he knew nothing about the latest developments. The last time the committee discussed the matter with Mifsud was earlier this week.
Undecided
"On Tuesday evening, Mifsud still sounded undecided on his future," Arrigo said.
"We told him Sliema were interested if he were to return home from Germany but he seemed so unsure of his next move. He told us, more or less, what his requests could be if he had to play in Malta again... but that is still early talk.
"First, we have to be certain that he really intends to return. We've got all documents filed at the MFA. Should he return, Mifsud has an agreement to honour with Sliema."
Marsaxlokk are also keen to land Mifsud if he was to make a comeback to the Premier League.
Victor Sciriha, the president, made it public earlier this month that he had agreed personal terms with Mifsud after getting the green light from Sliema to negotiate with the player.
"We will be glad to sign Mifsud," Sciriha said yesterday, "and we're keeping tabs on any new developments.
"I've become a good friend of Michael lately and we talk regularly as well. The last time we spoke was a few days ago. We should be back in contact on Monday."