Personal terms agreed with M. Mifsud, Asechemie - Sciriha

Marsaxlokk were arguably the busiest club in last summer's transfer window. Their bold efforts in the August football market lured several established players to their fold.

The transfer window reopens in just less than two months' time but Marsaxlokk have already resolved to strengthen their squad with Kaiserslautern striker Michael Mifsud, 22, and Marsa's Nigerian midfielder Minabo Asechemie, 23, identified as their two main targets.

Marsaxlokk president Victor Sciriha is confident that Asechemie and Mifsud will join his club in January as personal terms with both players have already been agreed.

"I can confirm that we have reached personal agreements with Michael Mifsud and Minabo Asechemie over a move to Marsaxlokk, possibly from next January," Sciriha said at a news conference announcing Yazoo as the club new main sponsor.

"Over the past few weeks, I have met both players who have accepted our terms of contract," Sciriha added.

Asechemie was very close to signing for the southerners, currently placed sixth in the Premier League, last summer but his registration papers were filed after the deadline set by the MFA for the transfer of players.

"This week, I will speak to Marsa officials and hopefully a deal for Asechemie's transfer will be reached. We are optimistic that Asechemie will be registered as a Marsaxlokk player when the transfer window re-opens on January 1.

"Regarding Mifsud, we know that the player must first discuss with his former club Sliema Wanderers if he decides to return to the Maltese Premier League.

"Having said that, a few weeks ago I received the green light from Sliema president Robert Arrigo to speak to the player.

"Having met Mifsud in Germany, I am glad to say that he has accepted our offer.

"I must stress that Sliema have the first option on him and if Mifsud stops his contract with Kaiserslautern, he will speak to them first. But, if he fails to agree terms with Sliema, we will be ready to rubberstamp the deal."

Sciriha said that in view of Marsaxlokk's difficulties to meet expectations so far this season, he has decided to bring in new faces to replace those who have failed to leave their mark on the team.

"Our long-term goal is to see Marsaxlokk competing for the top domestic honours. Although our results in the first nine matches have not been very good, we are still confident that within a year or two, we will be among the top sides on the island. But we have to be patient," Sciriha remarked.

Turning his sights on the club's one-year sponsorship deal with Carmelo Abela Marketing Ltd, Sciriha said he was delighted to have the backing of this company through their brand Yazoo, a flavoured milk.

"I hope this sponsorship marks the start of a long and successful relationship between the two parties," he added.

Chris Briffa, marketing representative at Carmelo Abela Ltd, said that the company are pleased to support Marsaxlokk FC.

He said that Marsaxlokk and Carmelo Abela Marketing Limited are both very ambitious, auguring that both parties will experience great satisfactions this season.