Sliema Wanderers turn down loan bid

Sliema Wanderers have rejected the overtures of a Polish club who expressed an interest in taking their Nigerian striker Orosco Anonam on a one-year loan deal.

Scouts from the club, reported to be Wisla Krakow, were in Malta last month to run the rule over Anonam during the first leg of the Champions League first qualifying round tie against FC Skonto, won by the Maltese outfit 2-0.

Contacted by The Times, Robert Arrigo, the Sliema president, confirmed that a Polish club had requested to take Anonam on loan for one season with an option of making his move permanent.

"Actually, two Polish clubs have been monitoring Anonam but we have only received an official offer from one club. They proposed to take Anonam for one year but their offer was turned down," Arrigo said.

"Having discussed the matter with Anonam, we both agreed that a loan move is not in the best interest of either Sliema Wanderers or the player himself. Obviously, the player is still interested in furthering his career abroad but he is prepared to move if a concrete offer for a permanent transfer comes along," Arrigo said.

This is not the first time that Anonam has been linked with a move elsewhere. The Nigerian, who was first brought to Malta by Naxxar Lions, now plying their trade in the Division One league, joined APOEL Nicosia of Cyprus before the start of last season.

His spell in Cyprus came to a premature end after APOEL gave him the cold shoulder, prompting the player to return to Malta before the termination of his contract.

Anonam has since sought FIFA's intervention to recoup the money owed to him by APOEL and sources close to the player told The Times that the world soccer's governing body has recently ruled in his favour.

The 24-year-old Nigerian midfielder-cum-striker was courted by Birkirkara but opted to rejoin Sliema Wanderers when the transfer window reopened in January.

Nenad Veselji, Anonam's team-mate at Sliema, is being linked with a return to Valletta. Sources said that Valletta are keen to recapture Veselji to enhance their attacking options following the departure of Chris Oretan.

The 30-year-old Yugoslav-born striker who has Maltese citizenship, enjoyed a positive spell with Valletta in the late nineties before he moved to Birkirkara where his stay was dogged by a knee cruciate injury.

After recovering from his injury, Veselji, who is currently overseas, signed for Sliema before the start of season 2001-2002.

St Patrick goalkeeper joins Blues

Asked whether Valletta have officially declared an interest in signing Veselji, Arrigo, the Sliema president, said his club were unaware of any interest in their player but did not rule out his transfer if the Citizens do make an offer.

Sliema, who were knocked out by FC Copenhagen in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, have reached an agreement with St Patrick for goalkeeper Alex Camilleri.

According to Arrigo, Camilleri has joined Sliema on loan for one year with an option of retaining his services at the end of the current season.

The Blues had been searching for a goalkeeper to provide cover as well as competition for Nigerian Murphy Akanji.

They are also expected to file the registration of Dybrill Sylla this week after receiving the go-ahead from FIFA. Sylla did not take part in any of the four matches Sliema played in this season's Champions League.

Meanwhile, a host of young Sliema players have been loaned out to other clubs. Young goalkeeper Kris Calleja, a member of the Malta U-21 squad, has joined Division One club Mqabba, Andrè Formosa signed for Balzan Youths and Clint Caruana has joined Senglea Athletics.

It was also reported yesterday that Marsaxlokk are interested in Marsa's Minabo Asechemie.

The Nigerian midfielder is said to be keen to leave Marsa, who were demoted from the top flight last season, as he is looking to play again in the Premier League.