Oba agrees Birkirkara deal - Victor Zammit

Birkirkara yesterday trumpeted victory after they managed to reach an agreement with one of their main transfer targets, former Floriana midfielder Rufin Oba.

Victor Zammit, the Birkirkara president, yesterday told The Times that Oba has signed a contract with them after a three-man delegation from the club, made up of Charles Micallef, Joe Zammit and Joe Pisani, concluded negotiations with the player and his agent, Dutch Jos Eerdekens, in Belgium.

"Oba has agreed to join Birkirkara and an agreement between the two parties has already been signed," Zammit said. "Negotiations with Oba and his agent have been completed successfully and we are now working to secure his transfer papers from the Belgian FA so as to file his registration at the Malta FA," Zammit added.

News that Congolese midfielder Oba has finally given his nod to Birkirkara will have drawn a sharp reaction from his former club Floriana who have repeatedly stressed that Oba will play for them if he returned to Malta.

Contacted by The Times, Floriana FC treasurer Trevor Zahra said: "We are fully entitled to compensation if Oba is transferred to another Maltese club. In the light of reports that Birkirkara have landed Oba, we invite them to sit around a table to negotiate a transfer fee."

Oba had played for Floriana for three seasons before the club were forced to release him last summer after the Congolese, whose contract had expired at the end of the 2001-2002 campaign, opted to sign for a Belgian club.

It appears that his new experience in Belgium did not work out as Oba had planned and for the past few weeks, the player has been in the Maltese transfer limelight as Birkirkara made it known that they were seeking to complete his signing.

Zammit insisted that Birkirkara are not obliged to pay Floriana any transfer fee for Oba. "Oba's position vis-a-vis Floriana has been assessed thoroughly. The player had originally joined Floriana on loan and we have been assured that they have no right to receive a transfer fee for him."

The Stripes, second in the Premier League and due to meet Hibs tomorrow, have been very active in the transfer market in the last few days. After deciding to retain the services of Czech midfielder Jaroslav Marx, the Stripes also intensified their efforts to secure the signing of Shamrock Rovers defender-cum-midfielder Luke Dimech. Hamrun Spartans' starlet Mauro Brincat has also set his gaze on a move to Birkirkara.

"There is a good possibility that Dimech signs for Birkirkara till the end of this season. Regarding Mauro Brincat, we have had talks with the player and he has made it clear that he wants to join Birkirkara.

"We have also approached Hamrun Spartans over Brincat and we are waiting for their reply. Hamrun still owe us money and we are seeking to settle those debts by reaching an accord for Brincat's transfer to Birkirkara," Zammit said.

The fresh twist to the Oba saga is likely to be discussed at Floriana's extraordinary general meeting this evening at 6 p.m.

Members of Floriana FC will be explained the club's position after last week's court ruling which ordered them to pay a hefty sum to former president Anthony Grech Sant.

Moreover, Marsaxlokk's offer for their U-21 international midfielder Etienne Barbara will also be discussed.

Floriana have also confirmed that they have made an official request to Hamrun Spartans for their midfielder Roderick Bajada.