Minabo Asechemie set to complete Marsaxlokk move
Lithuanian replaces Bartes
Marsaxlokk are expected to add another valuable addition to their squad today with the signing of Nigerian Minabo Asechemie from Marsa.
Club president Victor Sciriha yesterday said the two clubs have reached an agreement on a deal which sees the player becoming the third foreigner at Marsaxlokk.
Yesterday, Marsa filed all guarantees required at the Malta FA offices to have a transfer prohibition lifted. Asechemie is currently in the UK, but Sciriha said the 23-year-old midfielder was expected to arrive today to put pen to paper on a five-year contract.
Asechemie will become the second foreigner to join the southerners in the space of a few days. On Tuesday, the club decided to release Czech Petr Bartes and snap up the services of Lithuanian international Donatas Vencevicius.
The 30-year-old, who last season played for FC Copenhagen, is expected to finalise the deal these days ahead of Sunday's deadline.
Vencevicius, a former U-21 Lithuania captain, and Asechemie will probably make their debut on Sunday when Marsaxlokk take on Birkirkara in their second league match.
Marsa keen on Galea
Meanwhile, Marsa yesterday joined the race to sign Floriana striker Mark Galea. A club insider told The Times that the First Division side are waiting for Floriana's response to their offer.
Valletta looked ready to sign Galea last week but it seems that their interest has now turned on the unsettled Jonathan Holland, also of Floriana, even though president Dennis Burke yesterday re-affirmed his club's position that they will not part with their midfielder.
Marsa, this season under the charge of Brazilian Edson Silva and Albanian Ilir Pelinku, have already completed the signing of Liam Mangion from Floriana with Ridha Dardouri moving the opposite direction.