Rufin Oba has been the subject of so much transfer speculation in the last few weeks with Birkirkara on Thursday announcing that they secured his signature.
News that Oba has finally agreed to join Birkirkara may have had a few eyebrows raised yesterday. Contacted by The Times, Oba first said that there exists a 75 per cent chance that he will be moving to Birkirkara but later changed his version, saying that he will play with Birkirkara for sure.
"For now, I think that there is a 75 per cent chance that I will be joining Birkirkara," the former Floriana midfielder said.
"I have had talks with Birkirkara for the last two days and tonight (yesterday) I shall be meeting my manager to discuss the matter so that on Sunday (tomorrow) I can fly to Malta."
Asked if he will certainly be in Malta tomorrow, Oba said: "I have to speak to my manager first. I am not 100 per cent sure so far but if I have to fly over, the flight is booked for Sunday," Oba replied.
A few weeks ago, reports elsewhere claimed that Oba had promised a friend that he would play for Floriana if he returned to Malta but yesterday, the 26-year-old Congolese midfielder said that he has chosen Birkirkara.
"Floriana have contacted me but this time I am not coming to Malta to play for them. I want to try and win something with Birkirkara because if we sign a contract, it will be until the end of the season. Then we will review the situation in summer," Oba said.
Oba had left Floriana to join a club in Belgium last summer but he said that he had his contract terminated because the club have financial problems.
Oba said he has decided to return to Malta after an opportunity to pursue his career in Japan collapsed because of visa problems.
"I want to play football for the next four months and that's why I have decided to return to Malta. I had a chance to go to play in Japan but there were some problems regarding my visa. Now the only chance I have is to go back to Malta and play there for the next five months," he said.
And will he play for Birkirkara?
"Yes, I will play with Birkirkara for sure," Oba concluded.
Birkirkara close in on Dimech, Brincat stays put
Meanwhile, Birkirkara have also emerged as firm favourites to secure the services of Malta international defender Luke Dimech.
Dimech, whose club Shamrock Rovers play their last match in the Irish League tomorrow, was expected to make a definite decision on his next destination last night.
However, the former Sliema Wanderers defender's representative in Malta told The Times that Birkirkara have made a very good offer for Dimech to join them until the end of this season. Valletta are also trailing the player in their bid to strengthen their defence.
If Dimech's move to Birkirkara goes through early next week, he is likely to make his debut against his former club Sliema Wanderers today week.
Mauro Brincat, the up-and-coming midfielder who has also been linked with a move to Birkirkara, has now decided to stay with Hamrun Spartans till the end of the season. Brincat told The Times that he will review his position at the end of the season.